Is Chocolate Fudge Brownie Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the label. When analyzing the ingredients for this Chocolate Fudge Brownie, we find a mix of plant-based proteins and fibers, but also a critical animal-derived fat source.

The primary red flag is butter. Standard butter is a dairy product made from cow's milk, making it strictly non-vegan. It is often used in brownies to achieve that classic rich mouthfeel and tender crumb that oils alone cannot replicate. Even if the label says 'dark chocolate,' that chocolate is often processed with milk fat or milk solids to temper the bitterness, which is another common source of hidden dairy.

On the positive side, the product utilizes a protein blend consisting of brown rice and pumpkin seed protein, which are excellent plant-based sources. It also uses monk fruit for sweetness rather than refined white sugar (which is sometimes processed with bone char, though that is a processing aid rather than an ingredient). However, the presence of dairy fat overrides these plant-based attributes.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this brownie is designed as a high-protein, high-fiber snack rather than a standard dessert. The inclusion of tapioca fiber and sunflower seeds significantly boosts the fiber content, which helps mitigate blood sugar spikes despite the presence of cane sugar.

The calorie density is relatively high due to the cocoa butter and vegetable glycerin, but these fats provide satiety. If you are tracking macronutrients, this fits well into a diet focused on protein intake, but it should be consumed in moderation due to the sugar content. It is certainly a 'healthier' brownie compared to a standard bakery version, but it is not a low-calorie food.