Smucker’s is a name that needs no introduction. Known for its wide range of fruit spreads, Smucker’s is a staple in many households.
Trying to figure out whether Smucker’s Jelly is vegan friendly can be difficult.
As, manufacturers ofen mask the actual ingredients behind vague terms, and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To make sure that you are only consuming jellies that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients listed and production processes of Smucker’s Jelly.
And here’s what I found: Smucker’s Jelly is vegan friendly as it does not contain animal ingredients.
Keep reading to find out why Smucker’s Jelly is considered vegan friendly.
What Is Smucker’s Jelly?
Smucker’s is especially recognized for its assortment of fruit spreads. This includes a variety of jellies, jams, preserves, and marmalades.
They are frequently used as spreads on toast, fillings in sandwiches, or as ingredients in a range of recipes.
Smucker’s jelly is crafted from fruit juice, sugar, and usually a gelling agent like fruit pectin, resulting in a clear, bright spread with a distinct texture.
The result is a clear, bright spread that holds its shape well and offers a burst of fruit flavor.
Ingredients of Smucker’s Jelly
The ingredients of Smucker’s jelly can vary depending on the specific flavor, but most of their jellies contain the following:
- Fruit Juice
- Sugar
- Pectin
- Citric Acid
These ingredients seem perfectly vegan-friendly.
However, there are a couple of potential issues that vegans might want to be aware of.
Is Smucker’s Jelly Vegan?
Yes, Smucker’s Jelly is vegan friendly, as it is free from animal ingredients.
However, when we analyze the ingredients listed of Smucker’s jelly from a vegan perspective, a couple of potential issues arise.
Sugar
While sugar itself is a plant-derived ingredient, the issue lies in the processing method.
Some sugar, particularly cane sugar, is processed using bone char – the charred bones of animals.[1]
Bone char is used to bleach and filter the sugar to achieve the white color we associate with table sugar.
This does not mean that the sugar contains bone char.
But the use of an animal product in its production is enough for many vegans to avoid it.
It’s important to note that not all sugar is processed this way.
Beet sugar, for example, is typically whitened using a diffuser and activated carbon, both of which are vegan-friendly.
Additionally, some cane sugar is whitened using these vegan methods.
The problem is that many companies, including Smucker’s, source their sugar from multiple suppliers.
This means that the sugar in their products could be a mix of bone char-processed and non-bone char-processed sugars.
Without specific information from the company, it’s impossible to know for sure.
Pectin
Pectin is a type of fiber found in the cell walls of plants. It’s used as a gelling agent in jellies and jams to give them their characteristic texture.
Fruit Pectin is considered vegan, as it is a plant-derived ingredient.
However, it’s worth noting that in some cases, pectin can be modified with substances like gelatin or other animal-derived ingredients to alter its properties.
This is not the norm, and most pectin used in food production is vegan, but it’s something that strict vegans might want to be aware of.
So, it’s possible to definitively say that Smucker’s jelly is vegan friendly.
If you’re a strict vegan and want to be sure, it might be best to choose a product that is specifically labeled as vegan.
Vegan Alternatives to Smucker’s Jelly
If you’re looking for a guaranteed vegan sweet spread, there are plenty of alternatives available.
Many companies produce fruit spreads that are specifically labeled as vegan, meaning they contain no animal products and no ingredients processed with animal products.
Here are a few options:
- Crofter’s Organic Fruit Spread: This company produces a range of fruit spreads that are certified organic and vegan.
- Polaner All Fruit Spreadable Fruit: These fruit spreads are made with fruit and fruit juice only, making them a good vegan option.
- 365 Everyday Value Organic Fruit Spread: This is a store brand of Whole Foods Market, and their fruit spreads are labeled as vegan.
Final Thoughts:
Smucker’s jelly is considered vegan friendly as the ingredients of Smucker’s jelly are all technically plant-derived.
Brands like Crofter’s, Polaner, and 365 Everyday Value offer fruit spreads that are clearly labeled as vegan, giving you peace of mind.
Remember, the goal of a vegan lifestyle is to reduce harm to animals as far as is possible and practicable. It’s about making informed choices based on the information available to you.
