Are Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips Vegan? (October, 2024)

Trying to work out whether Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are safe for vegans to consume can be difficult.

Chocolate chip makers often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural and artificial flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell whether those ingredients are vegan friendly.

To ensure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips.

Here’s what I found.

Table of Contents

Are Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips Vegan?

No. Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are not vegan.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are one of Ghirardelli’s most popular products. They are used in many recipes, including cookies, cakes, and brownies. Sadly, these chocolate chips are not vegan.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips contain cane sugar and whole milk powder, while some varieties contain milk fat and nonfat dry milk, which are both dairy products. Dairy is an ingredient that vegans actively avoid.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips also contain a questionable ingredient, cane sugar. Cane sugar is often processed using bone char, which is made from the bones of animals, to remove impurities. Unless the cane sugar is labeled as “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely that the cane sugar in Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips has been processed with bone char.

What’s more, Ghirardelli’s chocolate chips are made on shared equipment with milk chocolate products. This means that there is a risk of cross contamination with milk. So not only are Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips not vegan, but they are also not safe for people with dairy allergies.

Are Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips Cruelty-Free?

Yes! Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are cruelty-free.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are not tested on animals at any stage of production. In addition, Ghirardelli does not use any ingredients regularly tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a cruel and outmoded practice that needs to be stopped because this practice only leaves innocent animals injured, maimed, or dead. There are alternative methods that are not only more humane but also more accurate. So companies have no excuse to continue testing on animals.

What Are Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Chips:

Cane sugar
Unsweetened chocolate
Whole milk powder
Cocoa butter
Soy lecithin
Vanilla extract

Let’s break down each ingredient of Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips:

Cane sugar

Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is extracted from sugar cane. It is often processed using bone char to remove impurities. Unless the cane sugar is labeled as “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is likely that the cane sugar in Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips has been processed with bone char and is not vegan.

Unsweetened chocolate

Unsweetened chocolate is made from cocoa beans or cocoa butter that has been ground into a paste. This paste is then formed into chocolate chips. They are used in baking to provide a chocolate flavor without the sweetness of milk or bitterness of dark chocolate. Unsweetened chocolate is vegan friendly.

Whole milk powder

Whole milk powder is made by evaporating milk until it becomes a powder. It is used in baking to add creaminess and richness. Whole milk powder is not vegan because it is a dairy product.

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is the fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. It is used in baking to add creaminess and richness. Cocoa butter is vegan friendly.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that is made from soybeans. It is used in baking to help mix together ingredients that would otherwise not mix well. Soy lecithin is vegan friendly.

Vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol. It is used in baking to add flavor. Vanilla extract is vegan friendly.

Why Aren’t Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips Vegan?

Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips are not vegan because they contain many ingredients that vegans steer clear of, such as whole milk powder, nonfat dry milk, and milk fat. It also contains cane sugar, which is often processed using bone char.