In recent years, the popularity of dairy-free and vegan diets has skyrocketed, leading many consumers to question the ingredients of their favorite food products. Cool Whip, a whipped topping commonly used in desserts and baked goods, is a particularly controversial product in this regard.
Here we will explore the question, “Is Cool Whip dairy-free or vegan?” by reviewing the ingredients of the various Cool Whip products. Let’s get into it…
Is Cool Whip Dairy-Free?
In order for a product to be considered dairy-free, it cannot contain milk or have any ingredients derived from milk. All the Cool Whip products listed below contain a form of milk. Cool Whip is not dairy-free.
Surprisingly (or maybe not to some), milk is the main ingredient in only one (extra creamy) of the five Cool Whip varieties. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that the ingredient that weighs the most be listed first, the second heaviest second, and so on. Most have water listed as the first ingredient.
Original: Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut And Palm Kernel Oils), Skim Milk, Contains Less Than 2% Of Light Cream, Sodium Caseinate (From Milk), Natural And Artificial Flavor, Xanthan And Guar Gums, Modified Food Starch, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Polyphosphate, Beta Carotene (Color).
Extra Creamy: Skim Milk, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Corn Syrup, Light Cream, Contains Less than 2% of Sodium Caseinate (from Milk), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Xanthan and Guar Gums, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Polyphosphate, Beta Carotene (Color)
Reduced Fat (Lite): Water, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut And Palm Kernel Oils), Contains Less Than 2% Of Sodium Caseinate (From Milk), Modified Food Starch, Xanthan And Guar Gums, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Polyphosphate, Natural And Artificial Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color).
Fat Free: Water, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut and Palm Kernel Oils), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Contains less than 2% of the following: Modified Food Starch, Sodium Caseinate (from Milk), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Xanthan and Guar Gum, Polysorbate 65, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 60, Beta Carotene (Color).
Zero Sugar: Water, Corn Syrup*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut And Palm Kernel Oils), Contains Less Than 2% Of Sodium Caseinate (From Milk), Natural And Artificial Flavor, Modified Food Starch, Xanthan And Guar Gums, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Monostearate, Sodium Polyphosphate, Acesulfame Potassium And Aspartame** (Sweeteners), Beta Carotene (Color). Contains A Trivial Amount Of Sugar.
Note: Ingredients can change at any time. Check the product packaging for the most accurate and up-to-date ingredient information.
Is Cool Whip Vegan?
In simple terms vegan means that a person does not consume or use animal products. A vegan will not eat anything animal-based like meat, eggs, or butter. They also will not purchase animal-based products like a leather couch, fur coat, or wool produced items. Cool whip is not vegan because it contains dairy ingredients derived from animal milk.
Photo Credit: Mike Mozart
