Does Meatless Mexican Crumbles contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, it contains gluten. The ingredients list includes 'Wheat' and 'Wheat Starch' (found in the soy sauce). It does not appear to contain dairy ingredients.

Is Meatless Mexican Crumbles good for weight loss?

It can be. It is lower in calories and fat than ground beef, but it does contain added sugars and sodium, so portion control is still important.

Where can I buy Meatless Mexican Crumbles?

These are widely available in the frozen or refrigerated meat-alternative sections of major grocery chains like Walmart, Kroger, and Target, as well as on Amazon.

Is Meatless Mexican Crumbles safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for kids as it contains no caffeine or stimulants. However, it is highly processed and contains soy, a common allergen.

Is Meatless Mexican Crumbles Halal?

Is Meatless Mexican Crumbles Halal? The direct answer is MAYBE. While this plant-based product avoids meat and alcohol, it contains ambiguous ingredients like 'natural flavor' and soy sauce that strictly observant Muslims must verify. This guide breaks down the label to explain exactly where the uncertainty lies.

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is Halal, we look beyond the absence of meat. We have to investigate the chemical sources of flavorings and processing aids. For Meatless Mexican Crumbles, the verdict of "Maybe" stems from two specific ingredients.

The primary flag is Natural Flavor. In the food industry, "natural flavor" can be derived from plant or animal sources. While it is most likely derived from plants in a vegan product, manufacturers do not always guarantee this. Without a specific Halal certification on the package, there is a minute risk that the flavoring agents were processed using animal-derived enzymes.

The second concern is Soy Sauce. Traditional soy sauce is fermented using a mold culture, but some mass-produced varieties use alcohol as a preservative or to halt fermentation. While the alcohol content is usually negligible (trace amounts), strict Halal guidelines often prohibit alcohol entirely. Additionally, the Malt Extract listed in the ingredients is derived from barley. While barley is Halal, the processing of malt extract can sometimes involve alcohol, though this is less common in dry extracts.

Finally, the product contains Wheat Starch and Wheat in the soy sauce. This confirms the product is not gluten-free, but wheat is perfectly Halal. The main issue remains the lack of certification for the flavoring agents.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

natural flavor

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Meatless Mexican Crumbles are a moderate choice. They are designed to mimic ground beef, so they are relatively high in protein (derived from Textured Soy Protein Concentrate) but low in saturated fat compared to real meat.

The ingredient list includes Evaporated Cane Syrup and Molasses, which contribute to the sugar content. While not excessive, those monitoring their sugar intake should be aware. The sodium content is also notable due to the Salt, Sea Salt, and Soy Sauce, making it similar to processed meat products in terms of saltiness.

Overall, it fits well into a diet focused on reducing meat consumption, provided you do not have a soy allergy or gluten sensitivity.