Is harvest peach Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and analyze the label. When we examine the ingredients in harvest peach, three specific components immediately disqualify it from being vegan. Here is the detailed analysis of why this product is not plant-based.

First, the most obvious offender is the gelatin. The label specifically lists "kosher gelatin." While the "kosher" designation implies it comes from a slaughtered animal that met specific religious standards (usually beef or fish), it is still an animal product. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is the primary thickener and stabilizer in many yogurts and desserts, and it is strictly non-vegan.

Second, the base of the product is pasteurized grade a nonfat milk. Dairy is a fundamental animal product derived from cows. Even though the fat has been removed, the lactose and casein remain, making it a dairy product. This also means the product is not suitable for those with lactose intolerance.

Third, we have the vitamins. Specifically, vitamin d3 is listed. While Vitamin D can be derived from lichen (a plant), the vast majority of Vitamin D3 used in food fortification is derived from lanolin, which is a waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool. Unless the brand explicitly states they use a lichen-derived source, standard food science dictates that the D3 is likely animal-derived.

Finally, the product contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While these are artificial sweeteners and technically vegan, they are often flagged by health-conscious consumers. Sucralose is heat-stable, but it is made by chlorinating sugar, a process that some strict vegans avoid due to the chemical processing, though it is generally accepted. The real concern for many is the presence of artificial sweeteners in a "fruit" product, which suggests a highly processed food item rather than a whole food.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, harvest peach is a low-calorie, low-fat option. Because it uses nonfat milk as the base, the saturated fat content is negligible. However, the product relies heavily on sweeteners to achieve its flavor profile. It contains both sugar and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

The inclusion of artificial sweeteners is likely an attempt to keep the calorie count down while maintaining sweetness, as the fruit content (peaches and peach juice concentrate) alone might not provide enough flavor intensity for a mass-market product. While it is fortified with vitamin a acetate and vitamin d3, the presence of modified corn starch and stabilizers indicates this is a highly processed food. It fits within a low-fat diet, but the combination of dairy and artificial additives makes it less than ideal for a "clean eating" regimen.