Is PubCheese Garlic & Herbs Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the vegan test, we need to look at the very first ingredients listed. The base of PubCheese Garlic & Herbs is CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM. In food science, the order of ingredients matters; ingredients listed first make up the bulk of the product. Here, the foundation is entirely animal-derived.

Further down the list, we see DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS. This is a catch-all term often used for concentrated milk proteins, lactose, and milk fats. It is essentially a dried form of milk used to enhance texture and flavor intensity. Additionally, the product contains SORBIC ACID, which is a preservative. While sorbic acid is chemically synthesized and generally considered vegan, it is often derived from animal sources in some strict interpretations, though it is usually plant-derived in modern food production. However, the presence of milk remains the primary disqualifier.

On the flavor side, the product uses DEHYDRATED GARLIC, BLACK PEPPER, DEHYDRATED ONION, PARSLEY, and GROUND NUTMEG. These are all plant-based ingredients and contribute to the savory, herbaceous profile. However, they are merely flavorings added to a dairy base. The inclusion of GUAR GUM acts as a stabilizer to keep the emulsion of fat and water from separating, a common technique in dairy processing.

Nutritional Value

As a dairy-based spread, PubCheese Garlic & Herbs is high in fat and calories. A typical serving contains a significant amount of saturated fat due to the cream and dairy solids. While it provides some protein from the milk, it is not a low-calorie food. For those monitoring their intake of processed dairy, this product would be considered a high-density food item. It does not contain added sugars, which is a plus, but the sodium content is moderate to high due to the salt content.