Is Yoplait Go-Gurt Variety Pack Raspberry/Strawberry Banana 16 Count Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight to the formulation. The verdict here is clear: this product is a dairy-based snack through and through. Let's analyze the specific ingredients that flag this product as non-vegan.

The primary ingredient in both the Strawberry Banana and Raspberry varieties is cultured pasteurized grade a low fat milk. This is the base of the product and is derived directly from cows. For anyone adhering to a vegan diet, dairy is an immediate disqualifier. It provides the creamy texture and the 'yogurt' nature of the product, but it is entirely animal-based.

The second major flag is kosher gelatin. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs. While the label specifies 'kosher gelatin,' which often implies a beef source rather than pork, it is still an animal-derived product. It is used here likely to help stabilize the texture of the yogurt, ensuring it holds its shape in the tube format without separating.

Finally, we see vitamin a acetate and vitamin d3 listed. While many vitamins are synthetic or plant-derived, Vitamin D3 is frequently sourced from lanolin (grease from sheep's wool) or fish liver oil. While synthetic versions exist, the presence of animal-derived dairy and gelatin makes the likelihood of the D3 being plant-based very low in this mass-market product.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, the Yoplait Go-Gurt Variety Pack is designed as a kid-friendly snack. Each tube contains low fat milk, which contributes to the protein and calcium content, but it also adds sugar. The ingredient list shows sugar as the second ingredient in both varieties, following the milk.

A single tube generally contains around 50 calories and 2 grams of fat (from the milk). However, the sugar content is where consumers should be mindful. With roughly 6-7 grams of sugar per serving, it contributes to the daily added sugar intake. While it fits within the calorie limits for a light snack, the sugar-to-protein ratio is not ideal for those managing blood sugar levels or seeking a high-satiety food. It is a convenient source of calcium and Vitamin D, but it should be treated as a treat rather than a health food.