The Iconic Oreos- A vegan delicacy?

How would you feel if you knew that one of the most loved creme-filled sandwich cookies in the world was actually vegan, or vegetarian to be more precise…?

The world’s best-selling cookies, Oreos, may be vegan, i.e. they have no animal products in the crème or in the chocolate cookies. Most of the flavors that Oreos come in are vegan whereas some, like the peanut-butter flavored Oreos, have milk in them. While there are many debates going around on whether Oreos are purely plant-based, the company addressed this by stating that there may be ‘cross-contamination’ of milk as it's used in the same factory where the cookies are produced, so you can’t claim for sure that they are vegan. 

On a superficial level, it may seem like a sweet treat for vegans, but when we break it down to bits and pieces, a question of doubt arises.

The ingredients used to make the flavored crème filling, or the cookie may originate from animals. Let's start with something sweet- sugar. Now the sugar used in certain countries can be processed by bone char, a granular material produced by the charring of animal bones. Oreos doesn't mention if they use vegan friendly or organic sugar, so it's difficult to assume that their cookies are vegan.

Another controversial ingredient among the vegan community is Palm Oil. This is concerned with how palm oil is derived, through deforestation of the plantations and rendering the animal population homeless. This is more of an environmental issue rather than an ethical issue, but certain companies in the food industry, including manufacturers of Oreos, are working towards using palm oil that has been produced in a more sustainable way, keeping in mind the effect it has on palm plantations. 

Now let's talk about the flavors that Oreos serve us with. There are more than 85 flavors of this sandwich cookie produced across the world and there are so many options that are vegetarian. Oreos also sell gluten-free cookies where oat flour is used instead of wheat flour, another healthier option (if eaten in moderation). 

To sum up, it's up to you to decide if Oreos are vegan or not. For beginners, it might be alright to have these cookies once in a while, but if you’re someone who is particular about the ethical aspects of veganism, you might want to explore aspects a little more. 

You learn more about food and its ingredients every step of the way, regardless of being a vegan. So, happy learning in the vast and deep world of crème, cookies and a lot more!