Is Craisins® Whole & Juicy Dried Cranberries Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist looking at the label, the ingredient list for Craisins® is surprisingly short, which is usually a good sign. It contains three main items: cranberries, cane sugar, and refined sunflower oil. Let's analyze why the 'vegan' label isn't a simple yes or no for this product.

The first ingredient is cranberries. These are fruits and are 100% vegan. No issues here. The second ingredient is cane sugar. This is the controversial ingredient. In the United States, many manufacturers refine cane sugar using bone char—a granular material made from animal bones—to whiten the sugar. While the sugar itself contains no bone particles, the processing method involves animal products, which disqualifies it for many vegans.

The final ingredient is refined sunflower oil. This is used as a processing aid to keep the cranberries from sticking together in the bag. It is plant-based and perfectly vegan. However, because the sugar is not certified organic or explicitly labeled as 'vegan,' the product falls into a gray area.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Craisins® are essentially fresh cranberries that have been sweetened and dehydrated. This process concentrates the sugar and calories. A standard serving size (1/4 cup) contains about 90 calories, with the vast majority coming from carbohydrates (specifically added sugars).

While they do provide a small amount of fiber and Vitamin C, the high sugar content means they should be eaten in moderation. They do not contain significant amounts of fat or protein. For those on a strict low-sugar diet, these are likely not a suitable snack, regardless of their vegan status.