Is Lance, captain's wafers, cracker sandwiches, peanut butter & honey, peanut butter & honey Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing processed snacks like these cracker sandwiches, we have to look beyond the main flavors and inspect the additives. The primary reason these crackers are not vegan is straightforward, but there are other ingredients worth discussing regarding ethical consumption.

The most obvious culprit is honey powder. This ingredient is listed in the filling and is made from dehydrated honey. Since vegans abstain from all animal products and by-products, and honey is produced by bees, this single ingredient renders the entire product unsuitable for a vegan diet. While some vegetarians may consume honey, strict vegans do not.

There is also natural flavor listed at the end of the ingredient deck. In the food industry, the term "natural flavor" can be ambiguous. While it is highly likely derived from plants in this context (to complement the peanut and honey profile), it technically could contain animal derivatives. However, the honey is the definitive dealbreaker here.

Regarding the rest of the ingredients, the vegetable oil blend (soybean, palm, canola, corn) is plant-derived. However, palm oil is a controversial ingredient in the vegan community due to its association with deforestation and habitat destruction. Additionally, the enriched flour confirms that these crackers contain gluten, making them unsuitable for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Lance Captain's Wafers are a calorie-dense, high-sugar snack. A standard serving contains a significant amount of fat and carbohydrates, primarily from refined sources like enriched flour and sugar.

The filling relies heavily on peanuts, which provides a decent amount of plant-based protein and healthy fats. However, this is counterbalanced by the addition of dextrose and corn syrup, which spike the sugar content. For those monitoring their glycemic index or trying to reduce added sugars, this snack is not an ideal choice. It fits better as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.