Is Fruit by the Foot vegan? Betty Crocker brand Fruit by the Foot is a chewy fruit snack that's actual size is about 3 feet long. Created in 1991, it's similar to other chewy fruity snacks like Fruit Roll-Ups and also comes in a variety of flavors. But is it vegan? The good news is that it is! Let's look at the ingredients list and the different flavors which can be found on the Betty Crocker website.
Fruit by the Foot Ingredients
There are several different flavors of Fruit by the Foot. Let's check out all the ingredients.
Fruit by the Foot Strawberry Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavor, Red 40.
Fruit by the Foot Flavor Mixers:
- Raspberry Grape Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Color (Red 40, Blue 1).
- Cherry Orange Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Color (Red 40, Yellow 6), Natural Flavor.
Fruit by the Foot Berry Tie-Dye Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2 % Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavor, Color (Red 40, Blue 1).
Fruit by the Foot Starburst (Cherry, Strawberry, Orange and Lemon) Ingredients:
- Cherry Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Natural Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Red 40.
- Orange Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate , Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Yellow 6.
- Strawberry Ingredients: Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavor, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Lactic Acid, Color (Red 3 & 40)
- Lemon Ingredients: Sugar , Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Pear Puree Concentrate, Palm Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Flavor, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Yellow 5.
Fruit by the Foot Blue Raspberry Ingredients: Pear Puree Concentrate, Sugar, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup, Palm Oil, Contains 2 % or Less of: Carrageenan, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Monoglycerides, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Color (Spirulina Extract), Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavor.
The different flavors also come in a variety pack. The great news is that none of the flavors contain ingredients from animal products and can be considered vegan. I was surprised to learn that there isn't any gelatin in Fruit by the Foot as it's a very common ingredient in chewy, fruity snacks and candies. It also doesn't contain any dairy products which are often hidden in snack foods.
Healthier Option
Yes, technically Fruit by the Foot is vegan. But there is a similar but healthier option out there. Annie's Homegrown Organic Really Peely Fruit Tape is both organic and gluten-free. They come in Organic Swirly Strawberry and Organic Bendy Berry. Let's check the ingredients which can be found on the Annie's website.
Bendy Berry Flavor Ingredients: Organic Pear Juice Concentrate, Organic Tapioca Syrup, Organic Tapioca Syrup Solids, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Raspberry Puree, Organic Corn Starch, Organic Strawberry Puree, Organic Color(organic carrot, organic apple, and organic black currant juice concentrate), Organic Natural Flavor, Sodium Citrate, Citrus Pectin, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C).
These fruit strips contain much better ingredients including real fruit puree and fruit juice. They definitely fit in with a vegan diet.
Fruit Leather
Another healthier option is fruit leather. Fruit leathers are also fruity and chewy, but they don't have the long shape like Fruit by the Foot. They are heartier and thicker but taste great. Let's check out the ingredients from the Stretch Island brand of fruit leathers which can also be found here.
Stretch Island Original Strawberry Fruit Leather Ingredients: Apple Puree Concentrate, Pear Puree Concentrate, Strawberry Puree, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Strawberry Juice Concentrate with other Natural Flavors.
These do not contain any artificial flavors or added sugar but do have a great fruity flavor.
Homemade Fruit by the Foot
Want to make your own Fruit by the Foot? How To Make Homemade Fruit By The Foot by Spoon University shows just how easy it is. You only need 2 ingredients - strawberries and sugar. There isn't any artificial flavoring in this fruit snack! You can also experiment and use different types of fruit. I'd love to make a mango variety! You also do not need a dehydrator to make these - just your oven on a low temperature. This would be a very tasty and healthy snack without any food dyes!
FAQ
Is sugar vegan?
While sugar comes from sugar cane, which is a natural plant, the production process of some brands of white sugar uses bone char. According to Peta.org, "Bone char—often referred to as natural carbon—is widely used by the sugar industry as a decolorizing filter, which allows the sugar cane to achieve its desirable white color." So cane sugar doesn't technically contain any animal products. Some strict vegans choose to stay away from it because of how it's processed. But this is completely up to you.
Is Fruit by the Foot healthy?
No, this fruit snack is definitely not healthy. The main ingredients are sugar, artificial colors, and artificial ingredients. That being said, at 25% it's an excellent source of vitamin c.
Is Fruit by the Foot gluten-free?
Yes, Fruit by the Foot is gluten-free!
Summary
General Mills' Fruit by the Foot is a chewy, fruity, yet gelatin free snack which can be considered vegan. Unfortunately, it is also full of sugars and food colorings. There are healthier options out there but if that doesn't bother you then you can reach for your Fruit by the Foot and know you won't have and animal ingredients in it. Or try your hand at making your own!
Wondering if other fruity snacks and candies are vegan? Check out:
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