Figuring out whether Bac-os is vegan-friendly can be a bit challenging.
Condiment brands often mask the actual ingredients of their product behind super vague terms such as “natural flavors.” And even if they do give you a full list, they never disclose how the ingredients were sourced.
To ensure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Bac-os.
Here’s what I found.
Are Bac-os Bacon Bits Vegan?
No. Betty Crocker’s Bac-os Bacon Flavor Bits is not a vegan product.
Bac-os bacon bits can be used as a topping or ingredient in recipes to imitate the feeling of eating real bacon. Bac-os, even though called bacon bits, do not actually contain bacon. They are made with soy and its derivatives.
If not for the sugar and “natural flavors,” it would’ve been a vegan product.
Sugar is plant based because it is made from either sugar cane or beets. However, most sugars are processed with bone char, which is the ground-up bones of animals.
Unless the sugar in the product is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it probably is filtered using bone char, which makes the product unsafe for vegan consumption.
“Natural flavors” is a broad term that the FDA allows companies to use to list ingredients without having to disclose what those ingredients actually are.
These “natural flavors” could be any kind of animal products, including insect-based flavorings. Given the nature of the product (bacon bits), Bac-os’ natural flavors likely come from an animal source.
Are Bac-os Bacon Bits Cruelty-Free?
No. Bac-os are not cruelty-free.
Bac-os bacon bits are not tested on animals, but they do contain the food color Red 40. Food dyes are often tested on animals to assess if they are safe for human consumption.
Animal testing is a gruesome and outdated practice that needs to end. No animal should have to suffer for our food choices.
What Are Bac-os Bacon Bits Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Bac-os Bacon Flavor Bits:
- Defatted soy flour
- Partially hydrogenated soybean oil
- Water
- Salt
- Sugar
- Artificial and natural flavor
- Red 40 and other colors added
- Soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (corn, soy, wheat)
Let’s break down each ingredient of Bac-os Bacon Flavor Bits:
Defatted soy flour
Defatted soy flour, or textured soy flour, is made from soybeans that have had the fat removed. Fat is usually removed through a solvent, such as hexane. This is a vegan ingredient.
Partially hydrogenated soybean oil
Partially hydrogenated oils are made by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, to make them solid or semisolid at room temperature. This process, called “hydrogenation,” increases the shelf life of food products. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is a vegan ingredient.
Water
Water is used in Bac-os bacon bits to keep the ingredients moist and to help with the mixing process. Water is vegan.
Salt
Salt is used in Bac-os bacon bits to add flavor and to help with the mixing process. Salt is a vegan ingredient.
Sugar
Sugar is used in Bac-os bacon bits to add sweetness and to help with the mixing process. Sugar is a plant-based ingredient and is technically vegan but is often processed with bone char, an animal by-product, which makes them non-vegan.
Natural and artificial flavor
The natural and artificial flavors in Bac-os bacon bits are used to add bacon flavor to the product. Natural flavors can be either plant or animal based, so they can either be vegan or non-vegan.
In this case, given the nature of the product (bacon bits), it is likely that the natural flavors are not vegan.
Red 40 and other colors added
The red color in Bac-os bacon bits is from Red 40, which is a synthetic, petroleum-based food coloring. Other colors added are also most likely synthetic, petroleum and plant based. Food colorings are generally vegan but not cruelty-free because they are often tested on animals.
Soy sauce (water, wheat, soybeans, salt)
Soy sauce is a liquid condiment made from a fermented paste of soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. Soy sauce is vegan.
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain that is used in Bac-os to add flavor and texture. Wheat is a vegan, plant-based ingredient.
Soybeans
Soybeans are a type of legume used in Bac-os to add flavor and texture. Soybeans are a vegan, plant-based ingredient.
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (corn, soy, wheat)
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is a food additive made from plant proteins such as corn, soy, and wheat that has been treated with water and enzymes to break it down into smaller molecules. They are used to add flavor and texture to food products. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is vegan.
Why Aren’t Bac-os Bacon Bits Vegan?
Bac-os bacon-flavored bits contain questionable ingredients, such as sugar and natural flavors. Sugar is more often than not processed with animal bone char to make it white. Natural flavors could be either plant or animal-based. In this case, the flavors are likely not vegan as the product is bacon-flavored bits.
Are McCormick Bac’n Pieces Bacon-Flavored Bits Vegan?
No. McCormick Imitation Bacon Bits do not contain real bacon but have “natural flavors” that are also likely to have animal-based ingredients.
This imitation bacon bits topping is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Badia Bacon Bits Vegan?
No. Badia Bacon Bits contain natural flavors, which may or may not be animal-based. In this case, the natural flavors are most likely not vegan as the product is bacon-flavored bits.
This bacon bits product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Epic Uncured Bacon Bits Hickory-Smoked Vegan?
No. Epic Uncured Bacon Bits Hickory-Smoked are not vegan. The hickory-smoked bacon taste in these bacon bits comes from real bacon.
This bacon topping is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Hormel Real Crumbled Bacon Applewood Smoke Flavor Vegan?
No. Hormel Real Crumbled Bacon Applewood Smoke Flavor is not vegan. This contains real bacon, sugar, brown sugar, and honey.
This bacon topping is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Recipe Pieces Hickory Smoke Vegan?
No. Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Recipe Pieces Hickory Smoke contains real bacon and sugar.
This bacon topping is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Bac-os Bacon Bits
Craving some bacon bits but want to stay true to your vegan diet? No problem! Here are some vegan bacon bits on the market that will satisfy your cravings:
You can even make your own vegan bacon bits at home. Check out these recipes and start making some delicious vegan bacon bits:
- Vegan Bacon Bits by Zardy Plants
- Vegan Bacon Bits by The Hidden Veggies
- Easy Vegan Bacon Bits by Shane & Simple
With either vegan store-bought bacon bits or or homemade vegan bacon bits, you can now enjoy your favorite dishes without worrying about consuming animal products.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Betty Crocker Bac-os Bacon Flavor Bits aren’t vegan. This isn’t because they contain real bacon or meat in the product but because they use sugar and natural flavors in them.
However, there are some vegan bacon bits brands on the market that will satisfy your cravings. You can also find recipes online to show you how to make your own vegan bacon bits at home.
So go ahead and enjoy them on your favorite salads, baked potatoes, and soups. Bon appetit!