Is Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers, Colors Cheddar Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing and straight to the formulation. When analyzing the ingredients list for Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers, Colors Cheddar, the verdict is clear: this is an animal-derived product. The primary non-vegan culprit is Cheddar Cheese. Cheddar is a hard, natural cheese made from cow's milk. The process involves separating the curds from the whey, and since it comes directly from an animal, it is strictly off-limits for those following a vegan diet.

Further down the list, we see Cultured Milk and Enzymes. Cultured milk is simply milk that has been fermented with lactic acid bacteria, and it remains a dairy product. The enzymes mentioned (often rennet) are used to coagulate the milk during the cheese-making process. While some enzymes can be sourced synthetically, in the context of cheese production, they are part of the dairy extraction process.

It is also worth noting that while the colors—such as beet, huito, watermelon juice concentrates, paprika, and turmeric extracts—are plant-derived, they do not make the cracker vegan. The base of the cracker is wheat flour, making it non-gluten-free, but the flavor and texture come from the cheese and milk fats. Therefore, despite the colorful appearance, the biological origin of the ingredients is animal-based.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Goldfish Colors Cheddar offers a mix of fortified vitamins and standard snack macros. The flour is enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid, which is a common practice in processed grains to replenish nutrients lost during milling.

Regarding the macronutrients, these crackers are calorie-dense. A standard serving contains a significant amount of fat, largely derived from the blend of vegetable oils (canola, sunflower, soybean) and the milk fat from the cheese. The sugar content is relatively low compared to sweet snacks, but the sodium content is notable due to the added salt and cheese. For those monitoring their intake of processed foods or saturated fats (from the dairy), this snack should be consumed in moderation. It fits into a standard diet as an occasional treat but is not a 'health food' by any stretch of the imagination.