The question on whether takis are vegan or not is a subject of debate among people. Thus this article aims at helping you unveil the truth of whether takis are vegan. It is important to know that there are many different flavours of takis and they all contain different ingredients. Therefore you need to be aware of that before buying them.
Contents
What are takis?
Takis are rolled up tortilla chips that are topped off with flavouring ingredients. These snacks resemble a taco that has been rolled up this is mainly because they are made using corn masa flour which makes them crunchy. Takis are well known for being hot and spicy and they have been in existence since the 90s but they continue to gain popularity in many parts of the world. There are many takis flavours and some of these include fuego, zombie, nitro, salsa brava, xplosion and guacamole just to mention a few. Takis are made in a factory that contains eggs and milk that is why most people debate on whether they are vegan on note. The takis are clearly labelled “may contain traces of milk, egg, wheat, and peanuts” and this greatly shows that they are made in an environment where milk and eggs are present.
Are takis vegan?
Some takis are vegan while others are not vegan. Takis have so many flavours that are available on the market thus, the differences emanate from the ingredients that are used when making them. The takis that are not vegan have traces of cheese and milk but they are considered to be vegan friendly. The cheese and milk are believed to give the takis their flavour and texture thus some people regard them as safe to it if you are a vegan.
List of takis that are vegan
- Fuego
- Nitro
- Zombie
- Salsa Brava
List of takis that are not vegan
- Xplosion- it is not vegan as it contains milk and cheese.
- Crunchy fajitas- it is not vegan as it contains milk and cheese which are dairy products derived from a cow.
- Guacamole- it is not vegan since it contains milk which is a dairy product.
- Lava- contains cheese which is a dairy product.
Why some people label all takis as not vegan
A number of people often air out their views suggesting that all takis are not vegan. Here are some of the reasons why they believe takis are not vegan.
Ingredients
The ingredients that are used to make takis are believed not to be suitable for people who are vegan. Let’s take a look of some of the ingredients that are used to make takis fuego and see if there are vegan friendly. There is the presence of an artificial colourings known as Red 40 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake. These artificial colourings are tested on animals like mice and rats through cruel experiments. Most people believe that being vegan means that they are trying to eliminate as much animal suffering as possible of which the artificial colours that are use when making takis are first tested on animals in a cruel manner then approved for using when making takis. Which is something that they are against. It is just some people’s decision to consider takis as not vegan even though they do not contain any animal products.
Production process
Takis are produced in a factory that contains milk and eggs that is why people consider them as not vegan. The label on the takis is clearly marked that the products might contain milk or eggs which is just a sign that the takis are manufactured in an area where products that contain eggs and milk are manufactured. However, this does not necessarily mean that the takis contain milk and cheese. It is just a precautionary measure that is taken by companies just in case there was cross contamination of products. They will be trying to avoid law suits that is why they clearly label the products. Furthermore, it is important to know that in factories the machines are thoroughly cleaned to avoid such incidences so the chances that your takis might contain eggs and milk is very low unless the packaging states otherwise. Therefore, the fact that takis are produced in the same factory as milk or dairy products does not mean that they are not vegan.
Are takis healthy?
The answer to that question is takis are not healthy. This is because they contain a lot of artificial ingredients. Although some takis are deemed vegan it does not necessarily make them healthy. Takis are not healthy because they contain Red 40 Lake an artificial dye that is believed to cause behavioural issues in kids as well as allergies and other health problems. Low quality oils are also used to make takis of which such oils are bad for your health. Furthermore, monosodium glutamate also known as MSG is an ingredient found in takis and it is not healthy. Therefore you need to cognisant of all these issue before consuming your takis. Make sure you consume them in small amounts to avoid health implications associated with takis.
Are takis gluten-free?
One of the most asked questions is if takis are suitable for people who are gluten intolerant. The answer to that is no takis are not gluten free and they are not suitable for people who have celiac. Avoid taking takis if you have allergies to any of the ingredients found in there.
Conclusion
The article has shaded light on some of the misconceptions regarding takis. They are some takis that are vegan whilst others are not. It is important to always look at the ingredients found on the packaging of takis. There are so many flavours of takis some of which were not highlighted in this article but you can always search for them. If you are vegan make sure the takis that you buy do not contain any milk or cheese as these ingredients are not vegan friendly. Remember to be mindful when consuming takis as they are not healthy.