Is Select everything entertaining crackers Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing the label for Select everything entertaining crackers, the base ingredients look surprisingly clean for a processed snack. You have your standard Enriched flour (wheat), various oils, and graham flour. However, the devil is in the details, specifically with the sweeteners.

The primary flag here is evaporated cane sugar. While this sounds like a natural, plant-based sweetener, the processing method is where the issue lies. In the United States, a significant portion of white and cane sugars are processed using bone char—charred animal bones—to filter and bleach the sugar to achieve that pure white color. While the bone char doesn't end up in the final product, strict vegans consider the processing method to render the ingredient non-vegan.

Additionally, while the oils listed (high oleic sunflower and/or canola oil) are plant-derived, some vegans avoid canola oil due to the heavy use of pesticides and processing methods, though it is technically vegan. The inclusion of rosemary extract and ascorbic acid are excellent natural preservatives that pose no issue for a plant-based diet.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Select everything entertaining crackers are a standard refined carbohydrate snack. The primary macronutrient is the Enriched flour, which provides quick energy but lacks the fiber and nutrients found in whole grains. The fat content comes from sunflower and canola oils, which are high in monounsaturated fats (hence 'high oleic'), which is generally considered heart-healthier than saturated fats, though still calorie-dense.

The evaporated cane sugar adds a touch of sweetness, contributing to the calorie count without offering significant nutritional benefit. These crackers fit into a diet as an occasional treat rather than a health food staple. They are low in protein and fiber, meaning they likely won't keep you full for long.