Are Fruit Roll Ups Vegan – Why You Should or Should Not Try? Shusree Mukherjee, July 13, 2023 Strawberry Sensation, Jolly Rancher, Wildberry Punch, and Tropical Tie-Die, every flavor of Fruit Roll-Ups is a treat for the palate. A General Mills product, they are a favorite among kids and adults alike. But are Fruit Roll Ups vegan? Let us find out. Fruit Roll-ups are sweet, chewy, and delicious fruit snacks made from corn syrup, sugar, and colors. With no real fruit in the ingredients, Fruit Roll-Ups lead us astray. Hence, it is necessary to find out if they are vegan. Are they vegetarian? Are they healthy? Do Fruit Roll-Ups have gelatin? What are they made up of? Moreover, as several fruit snack brands enshroud their actual ingredients with obscure terms, everyone supporting veganism must find out what are they consuming. So, here is the detailed account of the all-time favorite, Fruit Roll-Ups. Table of Contents ToggleAre Fruit Roll Ups Vegan?Do Fruit Roll Ups Have Gelatin?Fruit Roll Ups IngredientsArtificial ColorsSugarCitric AcidPalm OilNatural FlavorMonoglyceridesFruit PectinMalic AcidAscorbic AcidSodium CitratePear Puree ConcentrateMaltodextrinAre Fruit Roll-Ups Cruelty-Free?Are There Any Vegan Alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups?Are Fruit Roll-Ups Healthy?Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)1. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Vegan?2. Why are Fruit Roll-Ups not Vegan?3. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Vegetarian?4. Which ingredients used in Fruit Roll-Ups do not comply with a vegan diet?5. Do Fruit Roll-Ups have gelatin?6. Are there any vegan alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups?7. Can vegans eat Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation?8. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Tropical Tie-Dye and Jolly Rancher vegan?9. Can I make fruit roll-up at home?10. Are Fruit Roll-Ups cruelty-free?Final Thoughts Are Fruit Roll Ups Vegan? Wondering does fruit roll ups have gelatin is not uncommon as many vegan parents worry about the same. Fruit roll-ups do not contain gelatin, but they do not align with the idea of veganism. Sugar, palm oil, and natural flavors constitute the major bulk of the snack, and they are not necessarily vegan. Moreover, they contain artificial colors: red 40, yellow 5 and 6, and blue 1, that are not vegan. Moreover, the refined sugar used in these fruity delights is processed with bone char (charcoal made from animal bones). Furthermore, monoglycerides present in these roll-ups also come from animals. While this element is also made from plants, monoglyceride from animals is cheaper to produce. Hence, the question, are fruit roll ups vegan remain! Do Fruit Roll Ups Have Gelatin? The most common question in the minds of all vegans and vegetarians is, does Fruit Roll Up have gelatin? Are Fruit Roll Ups vegetarian? The answer is no. Fruit Roll-Ups do not contain gelatin. Gelatin is a protein made by boiling the tendons, ligaments, bones, and skin of animals like cows and pigs with water. Hence, vegetarians and vegans do not consume anything that contains gelatin. Fruit Roll Ups are vegetarian, but they are not vegan. Animal cruelty is indirectly involved in making Fruit Roll-Ups. How? It would be clear once you read the complete list of ingredients used in making Fruit Roll-Ups. Fruit Roll Ups Ingredients Here is the detailed list of ingredients for Fruit Roll-Ups: Corn Syrup Sugar Palm Oil Palm Kernel Oil Pear Puree Maltodextrin Acetylated Monoglycerides Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Malic Acid Fruit Pectin Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Natural Flavors Artificial Colors ( Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, and Blue 1) Let us dig deep into the details of all these ingredients. Artificial Colors Artificial colors are the most questionable ingredient of Fruit Roll-Ups. The snack contains red 40, yellow 5 and 6, and blue 1 food colors that are vegan but not cruelty-free. Synthetic food colors are derived from petroleum and tested on animals. Despite the presence of other test modalities like human tissues, cell cultures, and computer models, animal testing is still conducted, which is outright animal cruelty. Furthermore, from a health point of view, these colors are unhealthy. They also contain Benzidine, which can lead to liver cancer. They also cause hypersensitivity reactions. Sugar Unless it is organic, raw, or unrefined, sugar does not fit the vegan criteria. Although it comes from cane, sugar is refined to make it suitable for candies and fruit snacks. The refining process involves bleaching the sugar and using bone char from the bones of dead cows. It is unclear whether or not the char remains on the surface of sugar after the process, but the use of animal products in refining sugar is enough to omit it from the list of vegan-friendly products. Citric Acid Citric Acid is a flavoring agent used in candies, soft drinks, processed foods, etc. Although naturally found in citrus fruits, the main source of synthetic citric acid is fruits. Aspergillus niger, a mold, ferment crude sugars (for instance, corn starch and molasses) to make citric acid. In the United States of America, citric acid is made from corn. It is vegan. Palm Oil Palm oil is suitable for a vegan diet because it is a vegetable oil derived from the fruits of palm trees. However, the production of palm oil wreaks havoc on the environment and animals. Palm oil deforestation is the biggest threat to the survival of the orangutan population. However, the palm oil used in Fruit Roll-Ups is 100% sustainable as the manufacturer, General Mills Inc., is a member of the RSPO organization. RSPO stands for Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil. It is a non-profit organization that promotes the production and consumption of sustainable palm oil. Hence, Palm oil used in Fruit Rolls-Ups is vegan-friendly. Furthermore, palm kernel oil is derived from the seeds of palm trees. A main ingredient of many processed foods, it is also vegan. Natural Flavor Natural flavor is a deceptive term. As mentioned, most brands use it as a cloak term without telling what is behind it. Natural flavors can be plant-based or animal-based. What kind of natural flavor does Fruit Roll-Ups contain is still a question. Monoglycerides Monoglycerides are not vegan. They come from either plants or animals, but most commonly, they are made with animal fats as they are cheaper to produce. Fruit Pectin As the name says, fruit pectin comes from fruits. It is a kind of fiber extracted from fruits. It is a common finding in the ingredients list of many processed foods. This works as a stabilizer or thickener. Fruit pectin is a hundred percent vegan ingredient. Malic Acid Malic acid is another common ingredient found in an array of processed foods, soft drinks, and candies. It is a sour flavoring agent that comes from apples. Just like fruit pectin, malic acid is also a vegan-friendly ingredient. Ascorbic Acid Ascorbic acid, commonly known as Vitamin C, is a nutrient in several fruits and vegetables. It is used in Fruit Roll-Ups too. It is vegan. Sodium Citrate Sodium citrate is extracted from citric acid. It is a salt used in processed foods as an emulsifier or preservative. It is also vegan. Pear Puree Concentrate It is a smooth paste made from pears. Pear puree concentrate is generally used as a spread, baby food and sweetener and to enhance the flavor of food. It is vegan. Maltodextrin Maltodextrin is used as a filler and thickener in processed foods. It is a white powder-like substance obtained from starch. It is vegan. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Cruelty-Free? After dissecting the details about every ingredient used in Fruit Roll-Ups, it can be said, without a shadow of a doubt, that Fruit Roll-Ups are not cruelty-free. Although they are not tested on animals directly, they contain some ingredients that carry out many outdated practices classified under animal cruelty. Artificial colors (red 40, yellow 5 and 6, and blue 1) used in Fruit Roll-Ups are tested on animals. These inhuman tests take a toll on their health and often make them sick, even worse, lead to their death. Here, we have created a list of all the Fruit Roll-Up flavors sold by General Mills Inc. and their vegan status. Take a look: Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry SensationContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry SourContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Craze Mini RollsContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Jolly RancherContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Tropical Tie-DyeContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Blastin’s Berry Hot ColorsContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Mini Rolls Wildberry PunchContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Flavor MixersContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Fruit Roll-Ups Variety PackContains artificial colorsNot Vegan Are There Any Vegan Alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups? Nothing can second the fact that the world loves Fruit Roll-Ups. From a geriatric to a little kid, everyone likes to munch on these delicious, fruity delights. However, vegans disapprove of eating anything even remotely involved in animal cruelty. As Fruit Roll-Ups clearly involve animal cruelty, vegans should not eat them. So, are there no fruit snacks for vegans? Is there nothing that vegans can include in their diet? Fortunately, many healthier, tastier, and vegan alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups are available. If you are looking for one, try these: Annie’s Organic Fruit Tape Bear Fruit Snack Rolls Candy Club Gourmet Gummy Stretch Island Fruit Leathers All these brands have lip-smacking, healthy, and most important, vegan fruit snacks. You can find them in any grocery store or online in a plethora of flavors. You can also make your own fruit roll-ups. They are super easy to make and are very palatable. The internet has many recipes for homemade fruit roll-ups. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Healthy? Sugar is one of the main ingredients of Fruit Roll-Ups. Additionally, they do not have a good nutritional value, especially if you compare them with fruits. In relative terms, it is healthier than other common snacks like wafers and candy bars. However, fresh fruits and dried fruits are much better in terms of nutritional value and they make up for a better snacking option. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Vegan? No, Fruit Roll-Ups are not vegan. Although they are not directly involved in animal cruelty at any point in their manufacturing, some ingredients used in Fruit Roll-Ups do not pass the vegan test. 2. Why are Fruit Roll-Ups not Vegan? Fruit Roll-Ups contain refined sugar, which is processed with bone char. Furthermore, it also contains monoglycerides, which are made from animal fat. They are also plant-based but are expensive to produce. Hence, animal-derived monoglycerides are commonly used commercially. Both these ingredients involve animal cruelty. Hence, Fruit Roll-Ups are not vegan. 3. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Vegetarian? Yes, Fruit Roll-Ups are vegetarian. They do not contain anything that is derived from animals. However, they are not vegan. 4. Which ingredients used in Fruit Roll-Ups do not comply with a vegan diet? Fruit Roll-Ups contain refined sugar and monoglycerides. Both these ingredients do not comply with a vegan diet. Refined sugar is processed using bone char. Bone char, obtained from cow bones, gives sugarcane white color. On the other hand, monoglycerides used in Fruit Roll-Ups are also obtained from animals. 5. Do Fruit Roll-Ups have gelatin? No, Fruit Roll-Ups do not contain gelatin. 6. Are there any vegan alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups? Yes, there are many alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups, which do not contain any ingredient directly or indirectly related to animal cruelty in any form. These alternatives use natural ingredients for production, so they are healthier and tastier. The most popular alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups are: Annie’s Organic Fruit Tape Bear Fruit Snack Rolls Candy Club Gourmet Gummy Stretch Island Fruit Leathers You can also make homemade fruit roll-ups. There are ample recipes available online. 7. Can vegans eat Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation? No, any person on a vegan diet must avoid Fruit Roll-Ups Strawberry Sensation as it contains refined sugar and monoglycerides. 8. Are Fruit Roll-Ups Tropical Tie-Dye and Jolly Rancher vegan? No, Fruit Roll-Ups Tropical Tie-Die and Jolly Rancher are not vegan. Both of these flavors, or any other Fruit Roll-Up flavor, for that matter, contain refined sugar (processed with bone char) and monoglycerides (made from animal fat). 9. Can I make fruit roll-up at home? Yes, you can easily make fruit roll-ups at home. 10. Are Fruit Roll-Ups cruelty-free? No, Fruit Roll-Ups are not cruelty-free. The artificial colors present in Fruit Roll-Ups go through animal testing. Final Thoughts So, the answer to are fruit roll ups vegan is no. Fortunately, there are several vegan-friendly fruit roll-ups to try. Furthermore, if you support veganism, always read the ingredient list thoroughly before purchasing a packaged product. These little efforts go a long way in putting a full stop to inhuman practices, such as animal testing. So, be an aware buyer and always buy vegan products. Talking about fruit roll-ups, try the organic and vegan brands that sell palatable fruit snacks. You can also make fruit roll ups at home with strawberry. It will be vegan, healthy, but will lack the original taste of this treat. Food are fruit roll ups vegetarianare fruit roll-ups vegando fruit roll ups have gelatindoes fruit roll up have gelatin