Thinking that chips flavored like meat would be okay for vegetarians may seem straightforward, but many of these snack choices actually use synthetic flavors instead of real meat. This applies even to products labeled as vegan, which might still have these artificial additives, making it harder to know what’s really in them. However, some companies like Walkers are making changes to ensure their recipes better cater to vegan and vegetarian diets.
Ten Acre’s plant-based crisps
Ten Acre’s plant-based crisp range is available in a wide range of flavours. You can choose from a hoisin duck flavor or a traditional, savoury version – both are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. There’s even a range of MSG-free versions.
The company’s cheese-onion flavour is a classic combination. It’s one of their most flavoursome ranges and is suitable for everyone. It’s a multi-award-winning range made in the UK. They also have a dedicated Free From website where vegans and other people with dietary requirements can find out more about the company and its products.
If you don’t feel like being restricted to a bland, boring taste, try vegan cheese and onion crisps. They are a great way to treat yourself to a delicious snack without compromising on taste. Single-serving packs of vegan cheese and onion crisps are available. They are richly seasoned.
Cofresh’s mostly vegan crisps
Although most crisps found in supermarkets are vegan-friendly, some varieties may contain animal-derived ingredients. These include whey, which is a protein derived from milk. This means that these snacks aren’t for you if you are a vegan. If you’re unsure if a particular crisp is vegan, read the ingredients label carefully.
The most common animal-derived ingredients found in crisps are milk and other dairy products. Some varieties may also contain animal-derived ingredients such as calfrennet or meat extracts. Honey is a common flavoring in crisps. There are various vegan options available, so you can find one that’s perfect for you.
Vegans are increasingly looking for plant-based snacks. More mainstream brands are now offering vegan-friendly snacks. For home consumption, potato chips have been mass-produced since the early 1900s. However, while potato chips have historically been made from thin-cut potatoes, modern definitions include corn, maize, and other grain-based snacks.
Walkers’ new vegetarian recipes are not vegan, but they are vegetarian.
Some of the new recipes for Walkers’ crisps contain dairy and milk products. For example, the Marmite flavoured variety does not contain bacon but has whey protein, rice flour, onion powder, salt and paprika extract. If you’re a vegetarian, you may want to avoid them.
The new Walkers recipes are vegetarian but not vegan and use home-grown British ingredients. In a social media campaign to promote their new range, the company has teamed up with Gary Lineker, a football star. However, some vegetarians have expressed concern over including meat flavours in the company’s recipes.
The issue of labeling the new crisps vegan is also a concern. The company says that around half of its flavours are vegan, while the rest contain dairy products. Nevertheless, the company notes that the meaty ones, such as prawn cocktail, roast chicken, and smoky bacon, are unsuitable for vegans.
Walkers’ Prawn Cocktail crisps are vegan-friendly and do not contain prawns. However, the prawn cocktail version still contains milk derivatives. Walkers vegan crisps are made alongside dairy products so cross-contamination is possible. They do contain vegetable oils, but they do not contain any animal ingredients.
Earlier versions of Walkers’ Crisps were vegetarian-friendly and vegan-friendly. Vegans should avoid eating a lot meat-flavoured varieties. Nonetheless, most of Walkers’ crisps are vegetarian-friendly and vegan-friendly, though it is not always possible to distinguish between vegan and vegetarian versions.
Common additives that give crisp, non-vegan results
You’ve probably noticed that many food products use carmine, an ingredient from the scales of cochineal insects. Carmine is used in various food products, and vegans should avoid it as much as possible. Luckily, carmine is a harmless colorant, and it’s not hard to avoid in most food products.
However, if you’re vegan, you need to be very careful when buying crisps. Some may contain animal-derived additives like whey, a protein from milk, which makes it non-vegan. If you’re unsure, check the label carefully.