Is Organic white cheddar squares baked snack crackers Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing claims and go straight to the formulation. The non-vegan status of these crackers isn't a result of a hidden processing aid; it is the result of the core recipe itself. The product is essentially a wheat cracker designed to taste like cheese, and to do that, the manufacturer uses actual cheese and milk.

The primary flag here is dried organic cheddar cheese. This is not a flavor extract; it is dehydrated cheese made from pasteurized cultured milk, salt, and enzymes. Following that, the list includes organic whey. Whey is a byproduct of the cheese-making process (the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained), and it is strictly an animal-derived ingredient.

Further down, we see organic cheddar cheese and organic nonfat milk listed separately. This indicates a layered approach to flavor—using both milk solids and distinct cheese cultures to round out the palate. Finally, the ingredient cultured organic milk appears, reinforcing that the base of the flavor profile is entirely dairy. There are no plant-based substitutes used in this formulation.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, these crackers function similarly to other processed snack foods. They are calorie-dense, primarily due to the organic expeller-pressed sunflower oil and the organic wheat flour. While the oil is a source of fat, it is plant-derived (unlike the dairy components).

The sodium content is likely moderate to high, driven by the salt, sea salt, and the natural sodium content of the cheddar cheese. For those monitoring sodium intake, this is a consideration. Regarding sugar, these crackers likely contain negligible amounts, as the savory profile relies on cheese and onion rather than sweeteners. However, because they contain refined wheat flour and oil, they are energy-dense without offering significant fiber or micronutrients. They fit into a diet as a treat, but they are not a 'health food'.