Is Freeze-Dried Peach Slices Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed fruit snack is vegan, we have to look beyond the main ingredient. While the fruit itself is obviously plant-based, the additives used for preservation and color retention can sometimes be a gray area. Let's look at the specific ingredients found in Freeze-Dried Peach Slices.

The primary ingredient is, unsurprisingly, FREEZE DRIED PEACHES. This is simply fruit that has had its moisture removed via a vacuum process. It retains the structure and flavor of the fresh fruit without needing any animal derivatives.

The next ingredient is ASCORBIC ACID. This is the chemical name for Vitamin C. In the food industry, it is used as an antioxidant to prevent the peaches from browning or losing their nutritional value during the drying process. Ascorbic acid is always synthesized from plant sources (usually corn or tapioca starch), making it 100% vegan.

Finally, we have CITRIC ACID. This is used to preserve the color of the peaches. Like ascorbic acid, citric acid is an organic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. However, the citric acid used in food production is produced through the fermentation of molasses or corn syrup by specific strains of mold. It is a microbial fermentation product, not an animal product, making it fully vegan and cruelty-free.

Nutritional Value

Freeze-dried peaches offer a concentrated nutritional profile compared to their fresh counterparts. Because the water has been removed, the nutrients (and sugars) are denser by weight. A standard serving is low in fat and provides a decent source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion.

Regarding sugar content, it is important to note that freeze-dried fruit contains the natural sugars found in the peach. There are no added sugars in this specific product, which is a major plus. However, because the water is gone, eating a cup of freeze-dried peaches is equivalent to eating several fresh peaches in terms of sugar intake. It fits well into a healthy diet if portion sizes are managed, but it is calorie-dense compared to fresh fruit.