Are Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps Suitable for Vegetarians?

by

As a beloved snack food brand in the UK Walkers produces a wide variety of flavored crisps. Their popular smoky bacon flavor often sparks debate on whether vegetarians can enjoy them. I did a deep dive into the ingredients and manufacturing process to determine if Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps are actually vegetarian-friendly.

The Short Answer

Walkers smoky bacon crisps are suitable for vegetarians but not vegans. While they contain no meat products, they do include milk-derived lactose. So lacto-vegetarians can eat them, but vegans and those avoiding all animal products cannot.

Ingredient Analysis

Here are the key ingredients that affect the vegetarian status of Walkers smoky bacon crisps:

  • Potatoes – The base of the chips is vegetarian-friendly potatoes,

  • Vegetable oils – The cooking oils used are sunflower and rapeseed oil, both plant-based.

  • Milk lactose – The smoky bacon seasoning contains milk-derived lactose, making them unsuitable for vegans.

  • Flavorings – The seasonings provide a smoky bacon taste but no actual meat products are used.

The Flavoring Controversy

Walkers caused outrage among vegetarians in 2013 by adding real meat extracts to their smoky bacon flavoring. After backlash, they reverted back to vegetarian-friendly artificial flavorings in 2016.

So currently, no real meat products are used in the seasoning of Walkers smoky bacon crisps, just flavorings that mimic a smoky bacon taste.

Why Some Vegetarians Avoid Them

While suitable for lacto-vegetarians, some stricter vegetarians may still wish to avoid Walkers smoky bacon crisps for a few reasons:

  • The off-putting association with meat, despite no real bacon being used

  • Potential cross-contamination risks in factories handling meat products

  • Presence of milk-derived lactose

  • Use of additive components like yeast extract and MSG

So personal preferences play a role. But overall, Walkers smoky bacon crisps are considered vegetarian from an ingredients standpoint.

Tips for Finding Vegetarian Bacon Crisps

For those wishing to avoid Walkers’ smoky bacon crisps or find vegan-friendly alternatives, here are some tips:

  • Check ingredients lists for any animal-derived products

  • Look for “vegan” labeling for completely plant-based snacks

  • Explore smaller niche brands catering to vegans and vegetarians

  • Fairfields Farm’s Bacon & Tomato crisps are vegan-friendly

  • Kettle’s Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar crisps are also vegan

  • Asda and Golden Wonder offer vegan bacon crisp options too

The Takeaway

While Walkers’ smoky bacon flavor contains no actual meat, the presence of milk-derived lactose makes them unsuitable for vegetarians avoiding all animal products. But lacto-vegetarians who consume dairy can happily enjoy these nostalgic crisps guilt-free!

are walkers smoky bacon crisps vegetarian

Out of Stock Items

We will ship the items we have in stock and then ship the rest for free when they arrive. We have deliveries every few days so your wait should be minimal.

Please note that all deliveries will be made between approx 8. 30am and 5. 30pm and will require a signature upon delivery. The customer should do everything they can to be there to receive the delivery, as no packages will be left without a signature. A card will be left with instructions on how to set up a later delivery or pick up the package at the nearest parcel company depot if the customer is not home when delivery is attempted. Our delivery partners do not deliver at weekends. It is advisable to inspect the goods prior to signing for delivery. If you can see any damage whatsoever to the packaging sign for the goods as damaged. Please make sure you sign for the goods without opening them if this is not possible. This way, we can file any claims with our delivery partners if needed.

£75 Save £-75

Shipping calculated at checkout

PRICE EXCLUDES VAT VAT applicable on certain products

BULK ORDERS Read Terms of Service

SAME DAY DISPATCH Orders made by 12pm, Mon-Fri

Walker’s Smoky Bacon Crisps are made with 100% British potatoes and sunflower oil, which naturally has fewer saturated fats. No artificial colours, MSG (Glutamate) and preservatives used. Suitable for vegetarians.

Box of 32 bags.

Bag size: 32.5g.

Ingredients

Potatoes, Sunflower Oil (24%), Rapeseed Oil, Smoky Bacon Seasoning. Smoky Bacon Seasoning has Paprika Extract, Sulfite Ammonia Caramel, Salt, Sugar, Flavoring, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Acids (Citric Acid, Malic Acid), Smoke Flavoring, and Acids (Citric Acid, Malic Acid).

Allergy Advice

Contains: See highlighted ingredients. Made in a factory that also handles: Wheat, Gluten, Barley, Celery, Mustard. Due to the current situation caused by the pandemic and HGV drivers shortages, deliveries may be delayed. Please accept our and our delivery partners sincere apologies.

  • Free delivery on all orders £70.00 (excl. VAT) or higher.
  • Standard delivery charge is £7.50 (incl. VAT)
  • We deliver to UK mainland only.
  • Any orders placed Monday through Thursday before noon will be sent out within two business days.
  • If you place your order on Friday before noon, it will be delivered by Tuesday.
  • If you order on Friday after noon or on the weekend, it will be delivered by Wednesday.
  • If you want your order to be delivered on the last day of April, please give us an extra day.
  • Please wait up to 48 hours for machines that say they are in stock.
  • Minimum order value is £10.00 (excl. VAT)

All delivery times are subject to stock availability. Some items such as heavy equipment may have an extended delivery time. Most items will be sent to you within 5 business days, but please keep in mind that we can’t promise delivery times for any items. Please contact our sales department on 01603 720004 if you need to confirm lead times.

Walkers MAX Crisps are not suitable for Vegetarians

Are walkers smoky bacon flavour crisps vegan?

Walkers smoky bacon flavour crisps are not suitable for vegans as they contain milk. However, they do not contain any bacon and they are suitable for vegetarians. Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps Ingredients:

Are Walkers Crisps vegan?

Around half of the Walkers crisps flavours are suitable for vegans, while the rest contain milk. Some meaty flavours such as smoky bacon and prawn cocktail are actually vegan-friendly, while innocent-sounding flavours like tomato ketchup are not suitable for vegans. Are all Walkers crisps vegetarian? All Walkers crisps are suitable for vegetarians.

What are the ingredients in walkers smoky bacon crisps?

Walkers Smoky Bacon Crisps Ingredients: Potatoes, Sunflower Oil (24%), Rapeseed Oil, Smoky Bacon Seasoning (Dried Milk Lactose, Salt, Sugar, Flavouring, Hydrolysed Soya Protein, Acids (Citric Acid, Malic Acid), Smoke Flavouring, Colours (Paprika Extract, Sulphite Ammonia Caramel).

Are walkers oven baked crisps vegan?

When it comes to Walkers Oven Baked Crisps, only the Sea Salt, Sticky Barbecue and Prawn Cocktail flavours are all suitable for vegans. All of the other flavours of baked Walkers crisps, including salt and vinegar, contain milk. All of the flavours are, however, suitable for vegetarians. Vegan? Vegetarian? Are Walkers Sensations vegan?

Is walkers smoky bacon and roast chicken vegetarian?

No, it can’t be. Walkers have only gone and made their Smoky Bacon and Roast Chicken flavours vegetarian again! After inhaling the entire multipack, I got on the blower to Walkers.

Are walkers roast chicken crisps vegan?

Walkers roast chicken crisps are suitable for vegans and vegetarians. They do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, they are made in a factory that handles milk products so they may not be suitable for people with milk allergies. Walkers Roast Chicken Crisps Ingredients:

Leave a Comment