Are Great Value Flour Tortillas Vegan? An In-Depth Ingredient Analysis

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Plant Based Foods Association, plant-based food sales continue to rise, and many people scrutinize every grocery item, including store brands like Great Value. For those adhering to a strict plant-based diet, a common query is: are great value flour tortillas vegan? The answer requires a careful look at a few key ingredients that may not be as straightforward as they seem.

Quick Summary

This article explains the vegan status of Great Value flour tortillas by examining common ingredients, including the ambiguous emulsifier mono- and diglycerides. It provides guidance for strict vegans seeking definitive verification, outlines how to check product labels, and suggests alternative brands for assuredly vegan tortillas.

Key Points

Ingredient Ambiguity: Great Value tortillas contain mono- and diglycerides, emulsifiers that can be either plant- or animal-derived, creating uncertainty for strict vegans.
Vegetable Shortening: The product uses vegetable shortening, a vegan fat source, rather than traditional animal-based lard.
Manufacturer Confirmation: For absolute certainty regarding monoglycerides, a strict vegan must contact Walmart directly to confirm the source.
Not All Tortillas are Equal: Different Great Value varieties may have distinct ingredient lists, and labels can change, so a thorough check of the current packaging is necessary.
Vegan-Labeled Alternatives: Many brands explicitly label their tortillas as vegan, offering an easier and more certain option than relying on store brands with ambiguous ingredients.
Community Apps: Apps like Fig can offer community-based vegan verification for specific Great Value products, providing some guidance but not official certification.

Demystifying the Ingredients in Great Value Tortillas

At first glance, the ingredient list for most Great Value flour tortillas appears to be entirely plant-based. The primary components are flour, water, and vegetable shortening. The presence of vegetable shortening, often made from palm, soybean, or corn oil, is a positive indicator for vegans. However, a closer look at the "less than 2%" additives reveals a potential ambiguity for strict vegans.

The most critical ingredient to investigate is the dough conditioner, which includes "mono- and diglycerides". These emulsifiers are widely used in commercial food production to improve texture, extend shelf life, and prevent oil separation. This is where the simple vegan status gets complicated.

The Monoglyceride Question: A Potential Red Flag

Mono- and diglycerides can be sourced from either animal fats (like beef or pork) or vegetable oils. Food labels are not required to specify the source of these emulsifiers, leaving the consumer uncertain. While many companies use plant-based sources due to cost and wider appeal, this is not a guarantee. For a strict vegan, this lack of clarity is a significant issue.

Some third-party apps, like Fig, identify specific Great Value products as vegan, which suggests that for certain product lines, the monoglycerides are indeed plant-based. However, ingredient lists can change, and different varieties (e.g., whole wheat versus super soft) might use different formulations. The only way to be 100% certain is to contact the manufacturer directly and confirm the sourcing for the specific barcode on your package.

Great Value vs. Assuredly Vegan Brands

To highlight the difference, consider a comparison of ingredient clarity.


Feature	Great Value Flour Tortillas	Alternative Vegan Brands (e.g., Mission, Siete)
Primary Fat Source	Vegetable shortening (palm, corn, or soybean oil)	Vegetable oil (often clearer source, e.g., avocado oil)
Emulsifiers	Contains mono- and diglycerides, unclear source	Often explicitly states plant-derived or avoids ambiguous ingredients
Labeling	Rarely, if ever, displays a 'Certified Vegan' logo	Often prominently features a 'Vegan' or 'Plant-Based' label
Consumer Certainty	Requires individual research or contacting the company	High certainty, especially with certified vegan brands
Traditional Fat	Avoids animal lard, which is common in traditional recipes	Explicitly avoids all animal-derived fats

For vegans prioritizing convenience and certainty, opting for a brand that explicitly labels its tortillas as vegan removes all doubt. The peace of mind may be worth the potential price difference.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Verification

For those who still prefer Great Value products, here is a process for ensuring they align with your vegan diet:

Inspect the Packaging: Always check for a 'Vegan' or 'Plant-Based' label. While rare on standard Great Value tortillas, it's the most definitive sign.
Read the Ingredient List: Look specifically for animal-derived ingredients like lard, butter, or whey. Great Value tortillas typically use vegetable shortening, but new product variations can appear.
Investigate Ambiguous Additives: If "mono- and diglycerides" are listed, the only way to be completely sure is to investigate further.
Use Vegan-Focused Apps: Apps like Fig and Spoonful can help. Scan the product barcode, and the app will often provide a community-verified vegan status based on ingredient analysis and user feedback. However, these are not official certifications.
Contact the Manufacturer: For absolute certainty, call or email Walmart's customer service with the specific product's UPC and ask about the source of the mono- and diglycerides. This is the most reliable method for a strict vegan.

Conclusion

So, are great value flour tortillas vegan? The best answer is: some appear to be, but it's not a guarantee without deeper verification. The use of vegetable shortening is a good sign, but the inclusion of mono- and diglycerides from an undisclosed source introduces an element of risk for strict vegans. For those who prioritize certainty, choosing a brand with clear vegan labeling is the easiest path. However, by carefully checking labels, using community apps, and contacting the company, you can make an informed choice. The vegan community's commitment to ingredient transparency is what drives more definitive labeling from manufacturers over time.

Optional Outbound Markdown Link: Healthline's explanation of mono- and diglycerides

What are Great Value flour tortillas?

Great Value is a Walmart private-label brand that produces various food products, including a line of soft flour tortillas that come in different sizes, such as fajita, soft taco, and burrito.

Do all varieties of Great Value tortillas have the same ingredients?

No, different varieties like Whole Wheat, Medium Soft Taco, and Super Soft may have slightly different formulations and ingredient lists. Always check the specific packaging for the product you are considering.

Why are mono- and diglycerides a concern for vegans?

Mono- and diglycerides can be derived from either animal fats or vegetable oils. Since the ingredient list often doesn't specify the source, strict vegans cannot be certain if they are animal-derived without contacting the manufacturer.

Is vegetable shortening always vegan?

Yes, vegetable shortening is plant-based by definition. Great Value tortillas use vegetable shortening derived from oils like palm, corn, or soybean. It is an alternative to traditional animal-based lard found in some older tortilla recipes.

Do Great Value tortillas contain lard?

No, the Great Value flour tortillas examined contain vegetable shortening instead of lard. Lard, which is animal fat, is a common ingredient in traditional flour tortillas, so it's always worth checking a generic product's ingredients.

Are there any other non-vegan ingredients to watch for?

Besides animal-derived mono- and diglycerides, vegans should also be vigilant for ingredients like butter, whey (derived from milk), or other undisclosed enzymes, though these are not typically found in Great Value's standard flour tortillas.

What is the most reliable way to confirm if a specific Great Value tortilla is vegan?

The most reliable method for a strict vegan is to contact Walmart's customer service directly and ask for the sourcing information on the mono- and diglycerides for the exact product barcode in question. Using vegan-friendly apps or looking for community feedback is also helpful but not 100% foolproof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mono- and diglycerides are emulsifiers that prevent oil and water from separating, extending shelf life and improving texture. They can be made from either animal fat or vegetable oil, and since their source isn't specified on the label, vegans cannot be certain of their origin.

No. While traditional flour tortillas were often made with lard, most modern commercial brands, including Great Value, use vegetable shortening instead. However, it's always important to check the label, as recipes can vary.

The most reliable way is to contact the manufacturer (Walmart) directly, providing the specific product's UPC code, and ask them to confirm the sourcing of the ingredient. For most vegans, buying products clearly labeled as 'Vegan' is the preferred method.

Apps like Fig or Spoonful can be very helpful and often provide community-sourced information on product vegan status. However, as ingredient lists can change, they should not be considered an official certification and are best used alongside personal label checks.

Making your own tortillas is a great way to ensure all ingredients are vegan. However, many commercial brands are explicitly labeled vegan and are a reliable option for those who prefer not to bake their own.

The ingredient lists for Great Value flour tortillas do not typically show dairy products like whey or milk. Sources like Spoonful confirm many varieties are dairy-free, but as always, a label check is recommended to be certain.

While the product likely uses plant-based shortening, the ambiguity of mono- and diglycerides means strict vegans should exercise caution. Verification is required, either by contacting the company or choosing a product with an explicit 'Vegan' label.