Is Caprisun Variety pack Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing on the pouch and go straight to the ingredient label. The Caprisun Variety pack ingredients are: Filtered water, sugar, pear, grape and orange juice concentrates, citric acid, pineapple and apple juice concentrates, and natural flavor.

On the surface, this looks plant-based. However, there are two specific ingredients that cause issues for the vegan community. The first is sugar. In the United States, white sugar is often processed using bone char (charred animal bones) to bleach it white. Unless the manufacturer specifies 'organic' or 'unrefined' sugar, it is difficult to guarantee the sugar is vegan.

The second flag is natural flavor. This is a catch-all term that can hide animal-derived compounds. While in fruit drinks it usually refers to fruit extracts, it can technically contain dairy derivatives or animal-based enzymes. Because manufacturers are not required to disclose the source of natural flavors, it creates a gray area for strict vegans.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, the Caprisun Variety pack is essentially fruit-flavored sugar water. The primary ingredients are water and sugar (including juice concentrates, which are essentially concentrated natural sugars). A standard 6oz pouch typically contains around 60 to 70 calories, almost entirely from carbohydrates (sugars).

There is zero fat and zero protein. While it provides hydration and a quick energy spike, it lacks the fiber found in whole fruit that helps regulate blood sugar. For those monitoring their sugar intake, this drink contributes to the daily limit without offering significant micronutrients.