Many people with vegan dietary preferences wonder if Hershey syrup is suitable for their lifestyle. In this article, we will delve into the ingredients of Hershey syrup to determine whether it is vegan-friendly or not.
What is Hershey Syrup Made of?
To determine whether Hershey syrup is vegan, it is crucial to understand its ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients commonly found in Hershey syrup:
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Corn syrup
- Water
- Cocoa
- Sugar
- Potassium Sorbate (preservative)
- Salt
- Monoglycerides
- Artificial flavors
Now, let’s examine each ingredient to determine whether Hershey syrup is vegan or not.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is derived from corn. It is a common sweetener used in many food products. It is important to note that high fructose corn syrup is generally considered vegan-friendly.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is also derived from corn, and it is a sweetener commonly used in food products. Like high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup is typically vegan-friendly.
Water
Water is a natural ingredient and does not pose any concerns regarding veganism.
Cocoa
Cocoa is made from roasted cacao beans, which are plant-based ingredients, making cocoa vegan-friendly. However, it is essential to check whether the cocoa used in Hershey syrup is sourced ethically, as some cocoa production methods may involve unethical practices.
Sugar
Sugar is another ingredient that can raise concerns in a vegan diet. In the case of Hershey syrup, it is important to note that the sugar used can come from both cane sugar or sugar beets. Both cane sugar and sugar beets can be processed using methods that involve bone char. Bone char is made from animal bones and is used in the sugar refining process. However, it is not always clear whether bone char is used, as it is not listed as an ingredient. Therefore, some vegans may choose to avoid Hershey syrup due to the uncertainty surrounding the sugar source.
Potassium Sorbate (Preservative)
Potassium sorbate is a preservative used in many food products. It is derived from sorbic acid, which can be sourced from plants. Therefore, potassium sorbate is generally considered vegan-friendly.
Salt
Salt is an essential mineral and does not involve any animal-derived ingredients, making it suitable for vegan diets.
Monoglycerides
Monoglycerides can be derived from both plant and animal sources. Unfortunately, the source of monoglycerides used in Hershey syrup is not specified. Therefore, it is uncertain whether monoglycerides in Hershey syrup are vegan-friendly.
Artificial Flavors
Like monoglycerides, the source of artificial flavors used in Hershey syrup is not disclosed. Artificial flavors can be derived from both plant and animal sources. Consequently, it is unclear whether Hershey syrup’s artificial flavors are suitable for a vegan diet.
Conclusion
After carefully examining the ingredients of Hershey syrup, it is evident that it contains several ingredients that are vegan-friendly, such as high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, cocoa, potassium sorbate, and salt. However, the sugar, monoglycerides, and artificial flavors used in Hershey syrup raise some uncertainty for individuals following a strict vegan lifestyle. Therefore, it is recommended that vegans exercise caution and consider alternative vegan-friendly syrups for their dessert creations.