We’ve enjoyed them, and their fun commercials, as children. Getting a tongue tattoo from Fruit Roll-Ups was all the rage in my childhood! As an adult making health or environment-conscious choices, are Fruit Roll-Ups considered vegan?
Fruit Roll-Ups are considered vegan as they do not contain animal ingredients. However, Fruit Roll-Ups do contain questionable ingredients for vegans such as palm oil, Red 40, and natural flavors. The best vegan and healthier alternatives are Stretch Island Strawberry Fruit Leather, Simply Balanced Organic Strawberry Fruit Strips and SunRype Fruit To Go Apple Strawberry.
In this article, we will go over why Fruit Roll-Ups should not be considered vegan while also providing healthy, vegan alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Are Fruit Roll-Ups Bad For You?
Yes, Fruit Roll-Ups should not be considered a “healthy” treat or snack. Containing artificial dyes, flavors, and ingredients, Fruit Roll-Ups are nowhere near being considered healthy for children or adults alike.
- Artificial food dyes are highly processed and have little to no natural nutrients
- They are also high in calories and sugars
- Food dyes have been linked to negative connotations and effects from consumption such as:
- Interfering with digestive enzymes
- Increasing intestinal permeability
- Disrupting nerve cell development
- Causing cancer
- Linked to respiratory disorders
None of those sound very healthy, do they? No, Fruit Roll-Ups aren’t a food anyone should be consuming and that’s only due to one negative ingredient they contain. Consuming whole foods is significantly more healthy and impactful for your personal health or a child’s growth than products that contain artificial ingredients.
Questionable Ingredients for Vegans
Palm Oil
Fruit Roll-Ups varieties contain palm oil which, for most vegans, is considered unethical as it releases greenhouses gases into our atmosphere along with the devastation of the rainforest. Monoglycerides can be obtained from plant and/or animal-based fats, so if a brand does not specify where they obtain the ingredient, then it is up to the individuals’ discretion on whether to consume this product.
Natural Flavors
Natural flavors are another ingredient that is up in the air for most vegans when they find it on an ingredient list for a product. This is due to the fact that, like monoglycerides, “natural flavor” can be obtained using plant or animal-based sources. If not specified, then truly it is up to the consumer.
Artificial Coloring
In this particular product, Red 40 is used for coloring. In this instance with this brand, Red 40 is tested on animals in a laboratory for safety purposes, which can fatally harm the animals.
All in all, a lot of this is up to the individual. Most of the testy ingredients are up in the air on whether they are ascertained from animal or plant-based sources, but it is known that specifically for Fruit Roll-Ups, Red 40 is in fact tested on animals. That may or may not be a concern for the vegan in question.
Nutritional Facts for Fruit Roll-Ups
Fruit Roll-Ups, Variety Pack (Tongue Tattoos)
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Corn Syrup
- Sugar
- Pear Puree Concentrate
- Maltodextrin
- Palm Oil
- Contains 2 % or Less of:
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Monoglycerides
- Fruit Pectin
- Malic Acid
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Acetylated Monoglycerides
- Natural Flavor
- Color (Red 40, Yellows 5 & 6, Blue 1)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Roll, 14g):
- Calories- 50
- Total Fat- 1g
- Total Carbs- 12g
- Protein- 0g
Fruit Roll-Ups, Blastin’ Berry Hot Colors
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Corn Syrup
- Sugar
- Pear Puree Concentrate
- Maltodextrin
- Palm Oil
- Contains 2 % or less of:
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Monoglycerides
- Fruit Pectin
- Malic Acid
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
- Acetylated Monoglycerides
- Natural Flavor
- Color (Red 40, Yellows 5 & 6, Blue 1)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Roll, 14g):
- Calories- 50
- Total Fat- 1g
- Total Carbs- 12g
- Protein- 0g
Like the previous product of Fruit Roll-Ups, this specific flavor contains palm oil, natural flavor, monoglycerides, and Red 40, all questionable ingredients for vegans. It is up to the vegan in question whether they wish to consume this product.
Fruit Roll-Ups, Tropical Tie-Dye
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Corn Syrup
- Sugar
- Pear Puree Concentrate
- Maltodextrin
- Palm Oil
- Contains 2 % or less of:
- Citric Acid
- Sodium Citrate
- Monoglycerides
- Fruit Pectin
- Malic Acid
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Acetylated Monoglycerides
- Natural Flavor
- Color (Red 40, Yellows 5 & 6, Blue 1)
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Roll, 14g):
- Calories- 50
- Total Fat- 1g
- Total Carbs- 12g
- Protein- 0g
Like the previous product of Fruit Roll-Ups, this specific flavor contains palm oil, natural flavor, monoglycerides, and Red 40, all questionable ingredients for vegans. It is up to the vegan in question on whether they wish to consume this product.
Fruit By The Foot, Variety Pack
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- 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)
- Strawberry 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
- Red 40
- Blue Raspberry 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
- Blue 1
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Roll, 21g):
- Calories- 80
- Total Fat- 1g
- Total Carbs- 17g
- Protein- 0g
I added Fruit By The Foot simply because it is by the same brand and is another similar childhood favorite. Like the previous products and flavors of Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit By The Foot contains palm oil, natural flavor, monoglycerides, and Red 40, all questionable ingredients for vegans. It is up to the vegan in question whether they wish to consume this product.
Healthy Vegan Alternatives
Stretch Island, Strawberry Fruit Leather
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Apple Puree Concentrate
- Pear Puree Concentrate
- Strawberry Puree Concentrate
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Natural Strawberry Flavor with Other Natural Flavors
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- 100% Fruit Ingredients
- No Synthetic Colors or Artificial Flavors or Preservatives
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Fruit Leather, 14g):
- Calories- 50
- Total Fat- 0g
- Total Carbs- 12g
- Protein- 0g
Made using only natural ingredients, Stretch Island’s Strawberry Fruit Leather is certified vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO! They don’t use any preservatives or artificial ingredients to flavor or color their products, making them a perfect healthy alternative to Fruit Roll-Ups.
Simply Balanced, Organic Strawberry Fruit Strips
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Apple Puree Concentrate
- Apple Juice Concentrate
- Contains 2% or Less of:
- Strawberry Juice Concentrate
- Natural Flavors
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Citrus Pectin
- Vegetable Juice (Carrot, Cabbage) For Color
- Citric Acid
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Organic
- Vegan
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- No Artificial Flavors or Colors
- Kosher
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Strip, 14g):
- Calories- 45
- Total Fat- 0g
- Total Carbs- 11g
- Protein- 0g
Simply Balanced Organic Strawberry Fruit Strips are not only organic, but they’re vegan, too! There’s nothing quite like having a healthy snack with no artificial ingredients! You can find these healthy alternatives to Fruit Roll-Ups at Target or on Amazon.
SunRype, Fruit To Go Apple Strawberry
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Apple Puree Concentrate
- Apple, Pear, Elderberry, Strawberry and Lemon Juice Concentrates
- Citrus Pectin
- Natural Flavor
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- No Artificial Flavors or Colors
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Strip, 14g):
- Calories- 45
- Total Fat- 0g
- Total Carbs- 11g
- Protein- 0g
A tasty on-the-go treat, these Fruit To-Go Apple Strawberry Strips by SunRype are vegan-friendly! Containing natural sugars from fruit and fruit juices, this treat is also gluten-free, containing no artificial flavors or colors, making it a great healthy vegan alternative to Fruit Roll-Ups.
Other Healthier Alternatives
Clif Kid ZFruit, Organic Fruit Rope
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Apple Puree Concentrate
- Apple Juice Concentrate
- Natural Flavors
- Malic Acid
- Pectin
- Fruit and Vegetable Juice (For Color)
- Sunflower Oil
- Carnauba Wax
- Vitamins & Minerals:
- Ascorbic Acid (Vit. C)
- Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron)
- USDA Organic
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- No Artificial Flavors
- No High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Piece, 20g):
- Calories- 70
- Total Fat- 0g
- Total Carbs- 16g
- Protein- 0g
Though it does not contain the certified “vegan” label, based on the ingredients alone, these Clif Kid ZFruit Organic Fruit Ropes are vegan-friendly. They use fruits and vegetables to color these fruit ropes, using all-organic ingredients to make this delicious and healthy alternative to Fruit Roll-Ups. It’s up to the vegan in question on whether they want to enjoy this treat, as the only caution to consuming this product may be the possibility of cross-contamination in packaging the product.
Good & Gather, Strawberry Fruit Strips
Ingredients for this flavor include:
- Apple Puree Concentrate
- Apple Juice Concentrate
- Strawberry Juice Concentrate
- Natural Flavors
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Vegetable Juice (Carrot, Cabbage) For Color
- Pectin
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- No Artificial Flavors or Colors
- Kosher
Nutrition Facts (per 1 Strip, 14g):
- Calories- 50
- Total Fat- 0g
- Total Carbs- 12g
- Protein- 0g
Though it does not contain the certified “vegan” label, it does state for the product that is does not contain any of the eight major allergens (which would include dairy, fish, and eggs that are not consumed in a vegan diet). Good & Gather’s Strawberry Fruit Strips are all-organic, using no artificial ingredients whatsoever.
It’s up to the vegan in question on whether they want to enjoy this treat, as the only caution to consuming this product may be the possibility of cross-contamination in packaging the product.
Related Questions
Are Fruit Rolls Ups Gluten-Free?
Yes, Fruit Rolls Ups are not only gluten-free, but they are also gelatin-free.
How to make the frozen TikTok Fruit Roll-Up treat?
One of the latest trends streaming social platforms, mainly TikTok, is frozen Fruit Roll-Ups! To try this recipe, you simply need to unfurl a Fruit Roll-Up and place it in the freezer (on a pan). After a few hours, take it out and enjoy the crunchy Fruit Roll-Up sheets. Many enjoy the audible sounds, the crunch, as you bite into this interesting treat.