Is Mott's Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks 10 Count Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and dive straight into the label. When analyzing Mott's Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks, the list appears plant-based at first glance. You won't find gelatin (often derived from pork) or milk derivatives like whey or casein. However, the vegan status relies heavily on the sourcing of the following ingredients.

Sugar: This is the most contentious ingredient for vegans. In the United States, a significant portion of white sugar is processed using bone char—charred animal bones—to filter and bleach the sugar crystals. While the sugar itself contains no bone particles, the processing method is not vegan. Unless Mott's specifically uses organic, unrefined, or beet sugar, this ingredient is a major red flag for strict vegans.

Natural Flavor: This is a catch-all term that can hide a multitude of sources. Natural flavors must originate from a plant or animal source (like spices, fruits, vegetables, or meat). While the natural flavors in fruit snacks are likely derived from fruits to enhance the taste, there is no way to verify this without contacting the manufacturer. It is a risk factor for those avoiding all animal-derived inputs.

Vegetable and Fruit Juice added for Color: It is important to note that these snacks do not use Red 40 or other artificial dyes. Instead, they use juices from sources like carrots and peppers. This is a positive aspect for both vegans and those avoiding artificial additives.

Carnauba Wax: Often a concern for new vegans, carnauba wax is actually 100% plant-derived, coming from the leaves of the Brazilian palm tree. It is a perfectly vegan ingredient used to give the snacks their shiny coating.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Mott's Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks are essentially a candy. The primary ingredients are Corn Syrup and Sugar, meaning these snacks are high in added sugars and offer little nutritional density beyond the added Vitamin C.

A standard serving contains a significant amount of calories derived almost entirely from carbohydrates. While they are fat-free and gluten-free, they lack fiber and protein, which means they will not keep you full for long. If you are looking for a healthy snack that fits into a weight-loss diet, these are not the ideal choice. They should be treated as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.