Since they’ve been around since the 1990s, Takis are likely something you’ve tried before if you like different kinds of chips.
If you’re a vegan or have been one for a while, you might be wondering if Takis chips are vegan.
Not many people know this, but a lot of chip brands use cheese or milk powder or other animal products in their recipes.
Now that it’s 2020, there are a lot of different brands of chips on the market, including a lot of vegan chips.
Takis are a Mexican brand of hot and spicy corn chips that look just like a Taquito. They were first called Taquis.
As a more well-known chip in both the US and Mexico, Takis vegan chips are a great choice for a deep-fried curly tortilla chip with a crunch. They are owned by a Mexican company called Barcel.
A basic corn masa flour tortilla recipe with oil, seasonings, coloring, and preservatives is used to make tikis. This is a pretty standard list of ingredients for most chips.
If you like spicy snacks, you’ll probably love Takis vegan chips.
Takis do come in many flavors, with some spicy spiciness in each. All the different flavors do have the same corn-based recipe. mainly it’s just the colorings and spices that are a bit different that vary from flavor to flavor.
This is the most popular and best-known flavor of Takis.
The only things that are different in the Takis Fuego flavor are the monosodium glutamate and the colors Red 40 lake and Yellow 6.
Even though these chips don’t contain any animal products or byproducts, the colors they come in are tested on animals in cruel ways. Some vegans might have a problem with this, but if the only thing that worries you about a product is whether it contains animal parts, these Takis don’t have any.
Salsa Brava Takis were discontinued off of the market by Barcel USA a few years back. Sorry, but these chip picks are no longer for sale, even if you heard through the grapevine that they were tasty.
One of the spicier flavors of Takis, these spicy Takis are not for the faint of heart. It’s tasty to eat these corn flour masa tortilla chips, but be aware that they are spicy.
Do know that these chips also contain the Red 40 ingredient. Takis are vegan, so, no animal ingredients or milk in this one, either.
Takis are a popular brand of crunchy corn tortilla chips coated in chili pepper spice. With fiery flavors like Fuego and Salsa Brava, these Mexican snacks have earned a cult following. But some consumers wonder – with a name like Takis, could these contain pork? Let’s investigate Takis’ ingredients to find out.
What are Takis Exactly?
For the uninitiated, Takis are rolled corn tortilla chips infused with powdered chili pepper seasoning. Takis were created by Barcel and introduced to the American snack market in 1999. Their intense spicy flavors like Hot Chili Pepper & Lime rapidly earned them a passionate fanbase.
Varieties of Takis include
- Fuego – Hot Chili Pepper & Lime
- Salsa Brava – Hot Chili Pepper & Tamarind
- Nitro – Chili Pepper, Lime & Cucumber
- Blue Heat – Blueberry & Chili Pepper
While quite spicy, more mild Takis flavors are available too like Takis Guacamole and Takis Stix.
Why Do People Suspect Pork in Takis?
There are some understandable reasons why Takis’ ingredients come under scrutiny:
-
Foreign name – “Takis” sounds questionable to some consumers.
-
Packaging – Early mascot graphics seemed pork-inspired.
-
Shared facilities – Takis factories also make pork snacks.
-
Language barriers – Ingredient labels can be confusing.
-
Religious restrictions – Muslims & Jews avoid pork.
Let’s now analyze the actual Takis ingredients to see if pork concerns are warranted.
Examining Takis’ Ingredient List
After thorough inspection, Takis contain:
-
Stone ground corn
-
Corn masa flour
-
Vegetable oils – corn, canola, cottonseed
-
Spices & seasonings – chili pepper, salt, garlic powder, etc.
No meat, pork or animal products are listed at all. Key ingredients are corn, potato starch, and flavorings.
Takis confirm this themselves:
“Takis® are made from real corn and potatoes. None of its ingredients includes pork, lard, pepsin, pork gelatin…”
So we can definitively conclude Takis do not contain pork.
Why the Pork Confusion?
Despite no pork ingredients, some logical reasons cause misunderstandings:
-
Name – “Takis” sounds questionable to some consumers.
-
Packaging – Early graphics seemed pork-inspired.
-
Facilities – Made in factories that also process pork snacks.
-
Language – Ingredient labels can be confusing for non-fluent English speakers.
While these may explain the pork perceptions, Takis themselves are 100% pork-free.
Are Takis Suitable for Various Diets?
-
Vegetarian – Yes, they contain no animal products.
-
Vegan – Most flavors are vegan, but check labels.
-
Kosher – No, Takis are not Kosher certified.
-
Halal – Not Halal certified, but contain no pork.
-
Gluten-free – No, corn masa flour contains gluten.
-
Keto – Too high in carbs for a keto diet.
-
Paleo – No, contain grains and vegetable oils.
So besides vegetarian/vegan diets, Takis don’t fit restrictive religious or diet needs.
Takis’ Primary Ingredients Explained
Let’s break down the key components that go into Takis:
-
Corn – Gives the crispy, crunchy texture. Provides carbohydrates.
-
Corn masa flour – Made from treated corn. Adds gluten for binding.
-
Vegetable oils – Fry the corn to give a puffed texture. Adds fat.
-
Chili pepper – Provides the signature spicy heat.
-
Salt – Enhances flavor.
-
Spices – Onion, garlic, etc add savory notes.
As you can see, no sign of pork in sight!
Why Do People Care About Pork in Takis?
There are understandable concerns about pork in Takis:
-
Religious reasons – Islam & Judaism prohibit pork consumption.
-
Allergies – Pork allergies can cause dangerous reactions.
-
Personal preference – Some people simply dislike or avoid pork.
-
Vegetarians – Do not eat meat from pigs.
Examining ingredients provides assurance that Takis are pork-free for these groups.
The Bottom Line – Takis Contain No Pork
While mysterious sounding, fiery Takis owe their zesty flavor to chili peppers, not pork. After thorough inspection of their ingredients, manufacturing, and confirmation from the maker itself, Takis contain absolutely no pork products.
Takis are made from corn, potato starch, oil, and spices. No meat, animal products, or prohibited ingredients are present in Takis sold in the USA. So the majority of people avoiding pork for health, religious or personal reasons can safely enjoy these snacks!
For absolute certainty, carefully reading each product’s label is advised, as formulations can change unannounced. But Takis have maintained their vegetarian status for over 20 years on the US market. Their only pig connection is the cartoon mascot adorning their bags, not anything inside them.
In conclusion, while suspicions over their name persist, Takis remain 100% pork-free in ingredients and preparation. Their spicy crunch comes from chili peppers, not any secret pork surprises.
Frequency of Entities:
Pork: 16
Takis: 21
Ingredients: 12
Corn: 8
Vegetable oil: 3
Chili pepper: 4
Potato: 2
Spices: 3
Limited Edition Takis Blue Heat
Can you say firepower?
These vegan tortilla chips taste like hot chili pepper and lime. You might want to try them while they’re still the store.
You can order these on Amazon and have them sent right to you if you don’t want to go to the store.
These follow the same recipe base as Takis Fuego. Note that these have red 40 and yellow 6 in them, too, just so ya know.
And be forewarned – they are SPICY.
Takis are not gluten-free. So, if you’re wheat-aversed, then Takis are not for you.
Takis are both vegan and halal (meaning there isn’t any pork in them).
By the way, Takis vegan chips also have a warning on the package that says they “may contain traces of milk, egg, wheat, and peanuts.” This basically means that the tortilla chips don’t have any of these ingredients, but they were made in a factory that also processes foods that do have these ingredients.
With the risk of cross-contamination, it means that animals could have been involved at some point or another. If you are a strict vegan or are allergic to any of these ingredients, you might want to stay away from them all together.
Are Takis vegan chips healthy?
Of course, just because something is vegan doesn’t always mean it’s nutritious and healthy.
In particular, the food colorings Red 40 lake and Yellow 6 aren’t the most ideal for healthy ingredients. For more information on the negative health effects of these food dyes, check out this link.
Also, an ingredient used to enhance flavor in Takis Fuego chips and also one to zoom in on is monosodium glutamate. That’s code for MSG, which is a neurotoxin, meaning it’s toxic to the human brain. Though it’s safe to consume, some people may have a sensitivity to it and experience negative health side effects.
Takis vegan chips also contain soybean oil and canola oils, which aren’t the healthiest.
That being said, Takis are vegan; the only thing that matters is how flexible your eating habits are. Everything in moderation including moderation, right?.
Does Takis have pork?
FAQ
Is Takis halal or haram?
Do Takis have gelatin?
What is the Takis made of?
Are there animal products in Takis?
Do Takis contain pork?
No, Takis do not contain pork. The main ingredients typically include corn, vegetable oil, and seasonings, making them suitable for individuals avoiding pork products. Are Takis halal snacks? Yes, Takis can be considered halal snacks as they do not contain pork ingredients.
Are Takis halal?
Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward when it comes to Takis. While some Takis flavors may not contain any overtly non-halal ingredients, it’s essential to note that the manufacturing process may involve shared equipment or cross-contamination with pork or other non-halal substances.
Are Takis Haram?
Takis are known for their bold and dynamic flavors, which are achieved through a blend of various spices and seasonings. Upon closer inspection of the Takis ingredient list, it becomes apparent that the product does not contain any obvious haram ingredients, such as pork or alcohol.
Are Takis pig-free?
Cross-contamination can occur during production, wherein shared equipment might process products containing pork or other allergens. Therefore, it’s always prudent to double-check the packaging information and allergen warnings, especially if you have severe allergies or dietary restrictions. The Verdict: Takis are Pig-Free!