Is Diced Tomatoes With Garlic & Onion Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing a product like Diced Tomatoes With Garlic & Onion, the first few ingredients usually tell the story. TOMATOES and TOMATO JUICES are obviously vegan. DEHYDRATED ONIONS and GARLIC POWDER are also safe. However, the complexity arises in the additives used for flavor and preservation.

The primary red flag for strict vegans is the ingredient NATURAL FLAVOR. This is a broad term that can legally hide a variety of sub-ingredients. While natural flavor in a tomato-based product is often derived from vegetables, it can sometimes be sourced from animal products (like beef or chicken extract) to enhance the savory profile. Without specific clarification from the manufacturer, this ingredient creates ambiguity.

Another ingredient to consider is TOASTED SESAME OIL. While sesame oil is plant-derived, the word 'toasted' can sometimes be a code for 'roasted,' which in industrial food science can occasionally involve animal fats depending on the processing facility, though this is rare. Finally, SOY LECITHIN is a common emulsifier derived from soybeans, making it vegan, but it is a potential allergen.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this product is relatively low in calories, which makes it a good volume food for adding flavor without a heavy caloric load. However, the inclusion of HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP adds processed sugar to what is essentially a vegetable product.

The sodium content, driven by SALT, is something to watch if you are monitoring blood pressure. While the fat content is low, the TOASTED SESAME OIL provides a distinct flavor and a small amount of fat. If you are on a low-sugar diet, the added HFCS might be a reason to look for a 'no sugar added' alternative.