Oreos are a popular cookie commonly eaten with milk (your favorite plant-based variety, if you are vegan, are Oreos Vegan!) In fact, they are one of the most common foods listed when it comes to foods that people didn’t realize were vegan!
Oreos are not vegan. They contain several animal-derived ingredients, including milk and whey. However, there are several brands of vegan cookies available that do not contain any animal products, so it is possible to enjoy a vegan version of a cookie similar to Oreos. You can also try making your own vegan cookies at home using a recipe that calls for plant-based ingredients.
However, is this true? Are Oreos really vegan?
In this article, we will discuss the validity of the statement that Oreos are vegan, its controversial ingredients, and more. So, if this is of interest to you, then read on!
Are Oreos Vegan?
There are many, many ingredients in the many, many variations of the Oreo cookie, most of which are vegan!
For example, the original Oreos do not contain non-vegan ingredients, so if you follow a vegan diet, then you will have no problem eating these!
However, not all Oreo variations are suitable for those following a vegan diet. Like many other cookies and sweet treat brands, Oreo releases limited-edition variations of their popular cookie around the holidays.
These Oreo cookies are not suitable for vegans because they typically contain animal by-products, such as milk or cream.
Here is a breakdown of all the Oreo cookies that are vegan:
The fudge variety of Oreos are not vegan because the fudge that they use contains milk.
What Does Oreo Say About Veganism And Their Products?
Oreo actually does not consider its products to be vegan. They state that they cannot be suitable for vegans because they may be cross-contaminated with milk.
To put it another way, Oreo cookies and certain brands of milk are produced in the same facility, which means that there may be very small amounts of milk present in the Oreos.
Many vegans are not concerned by this and will happily eat the Oreos. However, this is more of a problem for other vegans, who prefer not to risk it and accidentally consume traces of milk.
The Issue With Oreo Cookie Ingredients
Even though all of the ingredients in Oreo cookies are vegan, some vegans may not want to eat them because they contain controversial ingredients.
Let’s explore this in further detail by checking out some of the controversial ingredients.
Sugar
Sugar is one of the top ingredients in Oreos, and it actually poses a lot of issues. Sometimes, sugar is filtered using bone char from cattle.
This is a process that bleaches the sugar, which is what gives it its characteristic white color.
Not all processed sugars are unsuitable for vegans because there are other filters that can be used to bleach the sugar. But, it can be difficult to know what products contain sugar that is suitable for vegans.
However, if a brand does list its products as vegan-friendly, then we can trust that all of its ingredients are sourced in ethical ways.
Because Oreo does not list its products as vegan-friendly, then we should not assume that the sugar used in the cookies is actually vegan.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is a controversial ingredient for non-vegans as well as vegans because its production is not ethical.
A lot of land is destroyed in order to make space for palm oil plantations, which is both an animal issue and an environmental one.
This deforestation results in an increase of greenhouse gases such as methane in the atmosphere, and the death of many animals due to a loss of habitats and fires.
There are also human rights issues in regard to palm oil production. The industry exploits children and forces them to work at the palm oil plantation, as well as adult plantation workers.
Now, it is important to note that the parent company of Oreo, Mondelez International, has been working towards a way to source a more sustainable and ethical form of palm oil.
But there are people who remain skeptical of this, stating that their plan of action detailing how they will do this is not extreme or specific enough.
On top of this, Mondalez’s collaborators, The Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil, has been accused by environmentalists as a mere scam that has the alleged purpose of improving public image, and there are no actual steps being taken for sustainability purposes.
Added Colors
Many special-edition and flavored Oreos have added colors listed as ingredients, such as Yellow 4 and Red 3. While these are not animal products they are actually tested on animals and therefore contribute to the pain and death of animals.
The animals in these studies are treated in cruel ways, and because of this, many vegans take issue with the ingredients and find they cannot support the brand.
Are oreos vegan and gluten-free?
Oreos are not vegan or gluten-free. They contain several animal-derived ingredients, including milk and whey, and they are made with wheat flour, which contains gluten. If you are looking for vegan and gluten-free cookies, there are several brands that offer these types of products. You can also try making your own vegan and gluten-free cookies at home using a recipe that calls for plant-based ingredients and gluten-free flours.
Are Golden Oreos Vegan?
Oreos come in a variety of flavors, and some of them are vegan-friendly. However, you should still check the ingredient list carefully, as there is no guarantee that the special flavors are 100% vegan.
There are two main varieties of Oreos. They are Classic and Golden. The classic variety is made with vegetable oil and unbleached enriched flour, while the Golden variety is made with a mixture of oils.
Some vegans avoid these cookies because they contain palm oil, which is used in manufacturing. Palm oil is plant-based, but some vegans feel that it is unethical and harmful. It’s also produced unsustainably.
Other ingredients in Oreos are unbleached enriched flour, baking soda, and high fructose corn syrup. While the unbleached enriched flour does not have obvious animal derivatives, some people don’t want to consume products that involve deforestation.
Another important factor to keep in mind is the iodized salt that is added to the cookies. Iodized salt is a naturally occurring compound that prevents the cookies from crumbling. This natural product is used to give the Oreos their texture.
Finally, a third ingredient that may not be vegan is soy lecithin. Soy lecithin is a naturally-derived food preservative. Unlike dairy milk, soy lecithin does not cause lactose intolerance symptoms.
Although the majority of Oreos flavors are completely free of animal-derived ingredients, the limited edition flavors may have some. A few of them include stuffing, which may contain animal products.
In addition to these traces of animal-based ingredients, Golden Oreos may contain dairy in the manufacturing process. If this happens, the cookies can be returned to the shelf.
Do Oreos contain dairy?
Yes, Oreos contain dairy. The ingredients list on the package of Oreos includes “milk” and “whey,” which are both derived from cows. If you are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, it is best to avoid Oreos and choose a different type of cookie that does not contain dairy. There are also several brands of vegan cookies available that do not contain any animal products, including dairy, so you can enjoy a plant-based alternative to Oreos.
Final Thoughts
Most Oreo cookies do not contain any animal products or by-products, meaning they are safe for vegans to eat.
However, the fudge editions of Oreo cookies contain milk and therefore, are not suitable for vegans.
On top of this, it is important to note that Oreo themselves state that their products are unsuitable for vegans because they are produced in the same place that produces milk, so there may be traces of milk in Oreo cookies.
However, many vegans may still consider them to be vegan products and will feel comfortable eating them.
Also, while Oreo cookies do not contain any animal products, they do contain ingredients that are deemed controversial which may mean some vegans do not feel comfortable eating them.
For example, Oreo cookies contain sugar, palm oil, and added colors. Sugar is sometimes filtered through bone char, making it unsuitable for vegans.
Additionally, palm oil is an unethical ingredient due to its production resulting in the loss of homes and death of animals, human exploitation, and a significant contribution to global warming.
Added colors are tested on animals, and the animals are often treated cruelly and killed. So, while Oreo cookies are technically vegan, many vegans may still want to avoid them.
Hi, my name is Clara Howie and I have been a vegan since I was 22 years old. Now, ten years later, I’d like to think that I’ve learned a few things about this way of life!
I can’t lie, when I first began my vegan journey, the majority of my diet did consist of just vegetables and fruit with the occasional piece of tofu thrown in.
I got back on my feet, though, and I vowed to never make that same mistake again! I spent my free time learning about how to nourish my body properly without the use of meat and animal products. It actually turned out to be pretty easy!
Now I am healthier than ever and working alongside a nutritionist to ensure that I don’t slip up again.
That’s what this website is all about! Helping more people turn to the vegan lifestyle in a healthy and happy manner. I’ve got recipes, advice, tricks, tips, and more coming your way, so don’t miss it!
