Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is typically vegan as it is mostly made from ground peanuts and salt. Some variants may contain oil and sugar. You may also find honey in some variants. Some specialty peanut butter may contain dairy items as well. So, it is better to check the ingredients and labels before buying.
Common Ingredients in Peanut Butter
- Peanuts
- Salt
- Sugar
- Vegetable Oil (mostly palm oil)
Ingredient Analysis: Peanuts and salt are 100% vegan and free from animal-derived ingredients. However, things get a bit hairy when it comes to sugar and palm oil.
Refined sugar is processed using animal bone char. Some vegans are okay with refined sugar, while some consider it non-vegan. It depends on your beliefs and how strictly you follow veganism. One way to avoid this ambiguity is to look for peanut butter made with organic sugar.
Palm oil is technically vegan, but its farming has led to mass-scale deforestation and damaged the natural habitat of many animals. Moreover, there are ethical concerns about palm oil production. This isn’t the case with all the farms around the world. Many are sustainable and don’t impact wildlife. So, brands that procure sustainable palm oil usually mention sustainability sourced on the packaging and they are a member of RSPO.
Some peanut butter varieties may have other ingredients like mono and diglycerides, chocolate, and lecithin. For example, Jif’s Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter contains magnesium oxide, niacinamide, ferric orthophosphate, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folic acid. You need to check that these variants are plant-based and 100% vegan.
You may also find Omega-3 in some varieties. Omega-3 can be plant-based or animal-derived, but it is mostly sourced from fish. So, it is better to avoid such variants to be on the safe side.
A few variants may have gelatin as well. Gelatin is not vegan and is one of the most animal-cruel foods.
How to find out if my Peanut Butter is Vegan?
The simplest way is to check the ingredients and labels on the packaging. Some varieties are labeled vegan, which ensures they are free from animal-derived ingredients.
Some vegan-labeled products may also come with a cross-contamination warning. These products have been processed in facilities that make non-vegan food items. It is okay for most vegans. However, some may choose not to eat such edibles. You can buy peanut butter from 100% vegan brands to avoid such risks.
You can also search any unknown ingredients online to clear your doubts. Some people also write to the manufacturer to learn about ingredients, animal cruelty, and raw material sourcing.
Is Peanut Butter Healthy?
Yes. Peanut butter is good for your health. It contains vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and B6. It also decreases your chances of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. You can have almond butter if you are allergic to peanuts.
Is Peanut Butter Gluten-Free?
Yes. Peanut butter is gluten-free. You’ll hardly find a gluten-containing peanut butter jar in a store.
Can I make Peanut Butter at Home?
Yes. You can easily make peanut butter at home. All you need is a blender, dry roasted peanuts, organic sugar, and salt.
Check the posts below to see which of the commonly sold peanut butter is vegan!
