Is Granulated bouillon Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing the ingredient list for Granulated bouillon, it becomes immediately clear why it fails the vegan test. While the base ingredients like salt, maltodextrin, and onion powder are plant-derived or synthetic, the complex flavor profile relies heavily on animal products.

The most significant red flags are found in the 'natural flavor' and 'flavor' sections. The product explicitly lists whey powder, which is a byproduct of cheese making and is derived from milk. This is a hard stop for vegans. Furthermore, the ingredient list includes chicken fat and dehydrated cooked chicken. These ingredients provide the savory, meaty notes characteristic of traditional bouillon but are strictly animal-based.

Even the ingredients that sound benign require scrutiny. Disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are flavor enhancers often derived from animal sources, though they can sometimes be plant-derived; in a product containing chicken and milk, they are likely part of the animal-based flavor system. Additionally, lactic acid is present, which, while sometimes derived from corn fermentation, is frequently sourced from dairy in food processing. Given the presence of whey, it is safest to assume the lactic acid here is also dairy-sourced.

Nutritional Value

Granulated bouillon is designed to be a flavor enhancer, not a meal replacement, which dictates its nutritional profile. It is extremely high in sodium, a common trait in bouillon products used to mimic the taste of salted meat broths. For those monitoring blood pressure or sodium intake, this product should be used sparingly.

In terms of macronutrients, the serving size is small, so calories are low (usually under 10 per serving). However, the presence of sugar and maltodextrin contributes to the carbohydrate count. While the fat content is low per serving, the fats present are not the heart-healthy kind; the chicken fat contributes to saturated fat content. It does not offer significant vitamins or fiber, functioning purely as a seasoning agent.