Are you a vegetarian who loves the taste of smoky bacon crisps? Or perhaps you’re just curious about whether or not Walkers’ popular flavour is suitable for vegetarians.
Well, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. While Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps do not contain any meat derivative, they do contain ingredients that may not be suitable for all vegetarians.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients list and explore the controversy surrounding Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps.
So, grab a bag of your favourite crisps and let’s dive in!
Are Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps Vegetarian?
As mentioned earlier, Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps do not contain any meat derivative. However, they do contain dried milk lactose, which may not be suitable for strict vegetarians who avoid all animal products.
It’s important to note that Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps are suitable for vegetarians, but not for vegans. This is because they contain milk, which is a dairy product.
In 2013, Walkers caused controversy when they added real meat extracts to their smoky bacon and roast chicken flavour crisps. This move angered many vegetarians who had been enjoying these flavours for years.
However, in 2016, Walkers reverted back to vegetarian flavourings for their smoky bacon and roast chicken crisps. They achieved this by creating meat-free seasonings that maintain the same great flavour.
It’s worth noting that some Muslims may choose to avoid Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps as they are not halal certified.
What Are The Ingredients In Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps?
The ingredients in Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps include potatoes, vegetable oils (sunflower and rapeseed), and smoky bacon seasoning. The smoky bacon seasoning contains dried milk lactose, salt, sugar, flavouring, acids (citric acid and malic acid), smoke flavouring, and colour (paprika extract).
It’s important to note that the smoky bacon seasoning also contains hydrolysed soya protein and sulphite ammonia caramel. Hydrolysed soya protein is a common ingredient in many processed foods and is derived from soybeans. Sulphite ammonia caramel is a food colouring agent that is made by heating sugar with sulphites and ammonia.
While the ingredients in Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps do not contain any meat derivative, they do contain dried milk lactose, which may not be suitable for strict vegetarians who avoid all animal products. It’s also worth noting that the crisps are not suitable for vegans as they contain milk, which is a dairy product.
The Controversy Surrounding The Flavouring Used In Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps
The controversy surrounding the flavouring used in Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps mainly stems from the addition of real meat extracts in 2013. This move upset many vegetarians who had been consuming these crisps for years, as they believed that the addition of meat extracts went against their dietary choices.
The use of artificial flavourings in Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps before 2013 was not a matter of concern for vegetarians. However, the addition of real meat extracts caused outrage as it went against the expectations of many consumers who believed that the crisps were vegetarian-friendly.
Walkers’ decision to add real meat extracts to their smoky bacon and roast chicken crisps was seen as an attempt to shake off the “junk food” label by using real ingredients. However, this move did not go down well with vegetarians who felt that their dietary choices were being disregarded.
In response to the controversy, Walkers reverted back to vegetarian flavourings for their smoky bacon and roast chicken crisps in 2016. The company achieved this by creating meat-free seasonings that maintain the same great flavour as the previous meat-containing versions.
Vegetarian-friendly Alternatives To Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps
If you’re a vegetarian who loves the smoky flavour of bacon crisps, fear not! There are several vegetarian-friendly alternatives to Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps.
One option is Fairfields Farm’s Bacon & Tomato crisps. These crisps are vegan-friendly and offer a smoky bacon flavour with a hint of tomato. They’re perfect for satisfying your cravings for a savoury snack.
Kettle’s Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar crisps are another great option. These crisps offer a refined twist on the classic salt and vinegar flavour, with the added bonus of being vegan-friendly. They’re also environmentally friendly, as most of their potatoes are sourced from within 30 miles of their Norwich factory.
Asda produces a range of vegan-friendly crisps, including their Free-From Nacho Cheese Tortillas. These crisps are perfect for snacking on with some hot salsa for an extra kick.
If you’re looking for a brand that is committed to staying vegetarian-friendly, Golden Wonder is a great choice. All of their crisps are vegetarian-friendly, and they offer several vegan flavours, including Smoky Bacon and Sausage & Tomato.
