Is Good health jalapeno veggies straws Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist looking at this label, the majority of the ingredient deck is reassuringly plant-derived. The base consists of potato starch and dehydrated potato, bound together by oils like expeller pressed sunflower oil. The flavor profile is built on a robust list of dehydrated vegetables, including jalapeno pepper, dehydrated garlic, onion powder, and dehydrated spinach. Even the color sources, such as paprika extract and turmeric, are strictly botanical.

However, the potential non-vegan culprit is natural flavor. In the food industry, 'natural flavor' can be derived from both plant and animal sources. While it is often used to enhance savory profiles (sometimes using yeast or vegetable derivatives), it can occasionally be sourced from animal products depending on the manufacturer's specific formulation. Without direct confirmation from Good Health, we cannot guarantee this specific ingredient is 100% plant-derived.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these straws are positioned as a lighter alternative to traditional potato chips. They are fat-free to low-fat, relying on the crunch of starch rather than heavy oil saturation. However, because they are a processed snack, they are high in sodium due to ingredients like sea salt and potassium chloride. They also contain added sugars in the form of dextrose and maltodextrin. While they do contain a vitamin fortification blend (Vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, and K), this does not negate the fact that they are a processed snack food. They fit a vegan diet if the flavoring is verified, but they should be consumed in moderation.