Trying to work out if Fritos are vegan can be a difficult task.
Fritos, like many other food brands, have a variety of products, and the ingredients can differ from country to country. Non-vegan ingredients are also often sneaked in by using vague terms such as “natural or artificial flavors.”
To make sure you only eat foods that align with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production methods of Fritos, and here’s what I’ve found.
Are Fritos Vegan?
The short answer is yes and no.
Fritos is a type of corn chip that is made from ground corn, vegetable oil, and salt. So, in their simplest form, they are vegan.
However, there are many flavors of Fritos, and most of them contain animal products such as milk, honey, whey, refined sugar, and natural flavors. So, if you’re a strict vegan you should avoid most flavors of Fritos.
Are Fritos Cruelty-Free?
Yes, the original Fritos are cruelty-free. Fritos are not tested on animals, nor do they have any food coloring that is tested on animals.
Other flavors, on the other hand, have food coloring that is tested on animals, so if you want to eat only cruelty-free Fritos, then you should stick to the original flavor.
What Are Fritos Original Corn Chips Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Fritos Original Corn Chips:
- Corn
- Corn oil
- Salt
Other flavors have these ingredients:
- Milk
- Whey
- Sour cream
- Honey
- Cheese
- Sugar
- Buttermilk
- Butter
- Natural flavors
- Artificial colors
Let’s break down each ingredient of Fritos Chips:
Corn
Corn is a type of grain that is used to make many food items, including tortillas, cornmeal, and of course, Fritos. Corn does not contain any animal products.
Corn oil
Corn oil is a type of vegetable oil made from corn. It does not contain any animal products or go through any process that includes animal products or by-products.
Salt
Salt is a natural mineral that is often used as a flavor enhancer in many food items. Salt does not contain any animal products.
Milk
Milk is an ingredient present in many flavors of Fritos. It adds flavor and creaminess to the chips. Milk is an animal product and, therefore, not vegan.
Whey
Whey is a type of protein that is often found in dairy products. It is made from the watery part of milk and contains lactose, fat, and calcium. Whey is an animal-derived product.
Sour cream
Sour cream is a type of dairy product made from cream that has been treated with lactic acid bacteria. Sour cream contains lactose, fat, and protein and because it has dairy, it is not vegan.
Honey
Honey is a sweetener made by bees. It is derived from animals and, therefore, is not vegan.
Cheese
Cheese is a type of dairy product made from milk. Cheese is, well, an animal product and, therefore, not vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is plant based, but the process that it goes through is often not vegan. To make white sugar, it usually goes through a bleaching process using animal bone char. Bone char is made from the bones of cows and other animals and, therefore, it is not vegan.
Not all sugar is filtered with bone char though, but in the US, the majority is. To make sure the sugar is vegan, look for labels that say “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined.”
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a type of dairy product that is made from milk. It contains lactose, calcium, and protein. This ingredient is not vegan.
Butter
Butter is another non-vegan ingredient in many Fritos flavors. Butter is made from milk. It contains lactose and fat.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors can be derived from plants or animals. The problem is most companies either don’t know (because they have several suppliers) or don’t disclose where their natural flavors come from. Unless the package specifically says that the natural flavors are vegan, assume they are not and avoid them.
Artificial colors
Most artificial colors are created from coal tar or from plants and are vegan. Artificial colors, however, are routinely tested on animals and aren’t cruelty-free.
Why Aren’t Fritos Vegan?
Other than a few flavors, Fritos aren’t vegan because the majority of their flavors contain dairy and animal products. While the original flavor, Scoops, and Lightly Salted are vegan, many of the others are not. If you want to eat only vegan Fritos, then you should stick to those three flavors.
Are Fritos Scoops! Spicy Jalapeno Corn Chips Vegan?
No. Fritos Scoops! Corn Chips are not vegan because they contain dairy products such as milk, sour cream, and whey. Non-vegan sugar and natural flavors also sneak their way into this flavor.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fritos Lightly Salted Corn Chips Vegan?
Yes! Fritos Lightly Salted Corn Chips are vegan because they have the same basic ingredients as the original Fritos. The difference is the slightly lower amount of salt.
Are Fritos Scoops Vegan?
Yes! Fritos Scoops have the same three basic ingredients of the original Fritos: corn, corn oil, and salt.
Are Fritos Flamin’ Hot Flavored Corn Chips Vegan?
No, Fritos Flamin’ Hot Flavored Corn Chips are not vegan because they contain several dairy products such as milk, cheese, and butter. Non-vegan sugar and artificial food coloring are also present in this variant.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Fritos Flavor Twists Honey BBQ Flavored Corn Chips Vegan?
No. Fritos Flavor Twists Honey BBQ Flavored Corn Chips contain actual honey as well as several dairy products. Non-vegan sugar is also present in this flavor.
This product is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Fritos
- Sabritones Chile and Lime Puffed Wheat Snacks
- Forager Project Cheezy Greens
- Tostitos Scoops
- Original Pringles
- Kettle Brand Sea Salt & Vinegar Potato Chips
Final Words
As you can see, the majority of Fritos flavors are not vegan. If you are craving some tasty chips and want to be sure that they are vegan, then your best bet is to stick with the three vegan Fritos variants.
There are many vegan alternatives to Fritos that you can try, as well, just be sure to check the labels to make sure they are indeed vegan.