Is Organic Bananas, Plums & Granola Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food is vegan, we look for hidden animal products in flavorings, processing aids, and fortification. For this specific product, the ingredient list is remarkably clean from a vegan perspective.

The base consists of organic banana puree and organic plum puree. These are simply fruits that have been mashed; they are unequivocally plant-based. To achieve the right consistency, water is added, which poses no issue.

The granola component relies on organic whole grain oats and organic amaranth. While oats are naturally vegan, strict vegans sometimes worry about cross-contamination with non-vegan crops during harvesting or processing. However, since this product is organic, it adheres to strict farming standards, though it does not specifically claim to be 'vegan certified' regarding field practices.

Acidity and flavor balance are maintained using citric acid, organic lemon juice concentrate, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Historically, citric acid was derived from mold cultures grown on animal sugars, but modern commercial citric acid is produced via fermentation of molasses or corn syrup by fungi like Aspergillus niger, making it 100% vegan. Ascorbic acid is a synthetic or plant-derived vitamin.

Finally, the flavor profile comes from organic vanilla flavor and organic cinnamon. 'Natural flavors' can be a gray area in veganism, but when paired with organic certification and fruit/grain ingredients, they are almost exclusively plant-derived. There are no flags for dairy, honey, gelatin, or carmine in this list.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this product functions as a carbohydrate-rich energy source. The primary ingredients—banana puree, plum puree, and oats—provide natural sugars and complex carbohydrates. This combination offers a quick energy boost, making it suitable for a pre-workout meal or a busy morning.

Because the product relies on fruit purees rather than added refined sugars (like cane sugar or corn syrup), the sweetness comes with some fiber and micronutrients. Bananas are a good source of potassium, while plums offer vitamin A and fiber. The inclusion of amaranth adds a complete protein profile, which is rare for grains, containing all nine essential amino acids.

However, as with most granola blends, portion control is key. The density of oats and dried fruit purees means the calorie count can be higher than a simple bowl of fresh fruit. It fits well into a balanced diet but should be measured carefully if you are strictly counting calories for weight management.