Is PEPP SQUAD Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When evaluating a product like PEPP SQUAD for a vegan diet, we have to look beyond the marketing claims of being vegetable-heavy. The devil is in the details, specifically in the cheese, meat, and binding agents used in the crust.

The most obvious non-vegan offender is the mozzarella white cheddar cheese blend. This ingredient is derived from pasteurized part skim milk. For strict vegans, all dairy products are off-limits due to animal exploitation and welfare concerns. Additionally, the enzymes used in cheese production can sometimes be animal-derived, though the microbial version is more common today.

Next, we must address the all natural* uncured pepperoni. The ingredient label explicitly lists pork and beef. This makes the product incompatible with not only veganism but also vegetarianism. The pepperoni also contains cane sugar and celery juice powder for curing, which are plant-derived, but the meat source is the dealbreaker.

Finally, let's look at the crust and structure. The base uses brown rice flour and cornstarch, which are fine, but it also includes egg. Eggs are an animal product, making them non-vegan. Furthermore, the crust uses xanthan gum (a microbial thickener, which is vegan) and baking powder. However, the presence of egg confirms that the crust relies on animal products for binding and texture.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, PEPP SQUAD offers a mix of benefits and drawbacks. Because it uses a cauliflower base, it likely has a lower carbohydrate count than traditional flour-based pizzas, though the brown rice flour and cornstarch still contribute significant starches.

The cheese and pepperoni contribute to the saturated fat and sodium content. While the pepperoni is labeled "uncured," it is still processed meat, which health organizations generally recommend limiting. The presence of sugar in both the sauce and the pepperoni seasoning adds to the total caloric intake without providing significant nutritional benefit.

If you are looking for a low-calorie meal, this might fit within a standard diet in moderation, but it is not a "health food" by strict definitions. The combination of refined starches and processed meats makes it a calorie-dense option.