Vegan Practically

Did you know that Oreo cookies are accidentally vegan? Most people who have been vegan for awhile are aware of this fact and it remains a wonder to me. I think I like Oreos more now, knowing they are not just classics but VEGAN classics, than I did when I was younger and gave no thought to what was in them.

Accidentally vegan foods, to be clear, are things that just happen to be vegan. No doubt when they first came up with Oreos Christie didn’t plan for them to be vegan. Sometimes that’s just a by-product of wanting to make something that has a long shelf life. (vegan does not automatically mean natural or healthy).

Over the years, from following discussions in vegan groups and reading lots of labels, I have discovered quite a few things that turn out to be vegan. PETA keeps a running list. Besides Oreos, their list includes Lays BBQ chips (yum!) and Ritz crackers. In the baking department, there are some unexpected surprises: Bisquick, Duncan Hines whipped frostings (multiple flavours), baker’s unsweetened and semi-sweet chocolate, and Jell-O pudding and pie filling.

The list of snacks goes on and on. This list of 25 Accidentally Vegan Foods that you can find at a convenience store includes Pringles (the stacked chips), unfrosted Pop Tarts, Swedish Fish candy, Sweet and Spicy Doritos, and Triscuits.

And don’t forget Wheat Thins, SkinnyPop White Cheddar popcorn, Twizzlers, and, most surprisingly, Pillsbury crescents (you know the ones that come in that little tube that you twist open?).

Oh sure, none of these are things you’re going live on. But it’s still great to know that when you want to share in the snackfest, there are vegan options that satisfy that need. I love that I can help myself to a Twizzler when someone offers and not have to wonder whether it’s got some weird hidden ingredient like gelatin in it.

It’s also pretty exciting to discover these things as you go. Last summer a friend of mine visiting from the US bought some Jakeman’s Maple Cream Cookies as a souvenir gift to take home (they have photos of tourist sites like Niagara Falls on the box). I’ve never had them before, assuming the word “cream” meant they weren’t an option for me. But asked me to get her more because they were so incredibly delicious, I read the label. No eggs, no dairy.

These things aren’t perfect. Many of them have a “may contain” notice about milk or eggs or both. What that usually means is that they are made in a facility where they make other things that do contain these ingredients, and there could be cross-contamination. I haven’t done a poll, but in my experience most vegans don’t consider “may contain” to be a deal-breaker.

The other ingredient that sometimes shows up in these foods that is technically vegan but also something lots of people care about is palm oil. It’s role in deforestation and the subsequent impact on the habitat of endangered species has it on the radar of the WWF and of many vegans. That said, it’s not in all the accidentally vegan foods. And palm oil that is RSPO certified meets production standards that do not create these threats.

So with these two provisos (“may contain” and the palm oil issue), someone who is vegan or who is entertaining the idea of making more vegan choices where they can, the world of accidentally vegan foods is a welcome source of possibilities. Here’s one more list, of 41 different foods.

And here’s an Oreo. Bon appetit!