Understanding Simple Mills' Stance on Veganism
Simple Mills focuses on using simple, whole-food ingredients, appealing to those with various dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo diets. They state that most of their products are vegan or can be made vegan during preparation.
Many vegan Simple Mills products are marked with a "Vegan" label below the ingredients list. However, this labeling isn't on all items, particularly baking mixes, which are vegan in the box but need non-vegan additions like eggs or milk for preparation. Consumers should check both labels and instructions carefully.
Vegan Simple Mills Product Categories
Simple Mills offers many vegan options across different product lines.
Crackers and Pita Crackers
This category includes many certified vegan options made with flours from ingredients like almond, sunflower, and cassava.
Examples of vegan Simple Mills crackers include: Fine Ground Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers, Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers, Sundried Tomato & Basil Almond Flour Crackers, Original Organic Seed Crackers, Everything Organic Seed Crackers, and Himalayan Salt Veggie Pita Crackers.
Cookies and Sweet Thins
Several crunchy and sandwich cookies are entirely vegan, often using coconut sugar for sweetness.
Examples of vegan Simple Mills cookies include: Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies, Crunchy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cocoa & Cashew Butter Sandwich Cookies, and Creamy Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Baking Mixes and Frostings
Simple Mills' dry baking mixes (cakes, muffins, breads) are vegan as sold. They can be prepared using vegan substitutes for eggs and dairy, with guidance available from Simple Mills. All Simple Mills frostings are certified vegan.
Examples of vegan-friendly baking mixes and frostings include: Almond Flour Pancake & Waffle Mix, Artisan Bread Mix, Vanilla Cake & Cupcake Mix, Organic Vanilla Frosting, and Organic Chocolate Frosting.
Simple Mills Products That Are NOT Vegan
Vegans should be aware that some products contain non-vegan ingredients. Always check the ingredient list.
Non-vegan Simple Mills products include: Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers (dairy), Pop Mmms (dairy), Soft Baked Bars (eggs and honey), Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins (honey), and Lemon Sweet Thins (honey).
How to Check if a Simple Mills Product is Vegan
To confirm a product's vegan status:
- Look for the label: Check for the "Vegan" label on the package.
- Read ingredients: Scan for milk, whey, cheese, butter, eggs, or honey.
- Consider preparation: For baking mixes, plan to use vegan substitutes.
- Consult the website: Simple Mills' FAQ page offers detailed information and substitution tips. You can find it here: simplemills.com/Learn/FAQ.aspx.
Comparison Table: Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Crackers
| Feature | Vegan Crackers (e.g., Organic Seed Crackers) | Non-Vegan Crackers (e.g., Farmhouse Cheddar) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Nut and seed flour blend, cassava flour, organic sunflower oil | Nut flour blend, cassava flour, organic cheese powder |
| Vegan Status | Certified Vegan | Not vegan (contains dairy) |
| Flavor | Savory and seeded (e.g., Original, Everything) | Cheesy and rich |
| Dietary Suitability | Suitable for plant-based and Paleo diets | Suitable for vegetarian but not vegan diets |
| Labeling | May carry a specific "Vegan" label | Clearly states the presence of cheese/dairy |
Conclusion
Simple Mills is largely vegan-friendly, with many plant-based options and adaptable baking mixes. However, some products contain dairy or honey, so checking labels is essential for a strict vegan diet. Using the "Vegan" label, ingredient lists, and the company's website, vegans can easily find suitable Simple Mills products.
