Ben & Jerry’s is a beloved ice cream brand known for its creative flavors and social activism. But is Ben & Jerry’s ice cream vegan? The answer is not simple. While Ben & Jerry’s does offer a line of non-dairy ice cream, some of its classic flavors contain dairy ingredients.
In this blog post, I will explore the question of whether Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is vegan and provide some recommendations for vegan-friendly options.
Which flavor of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream is Vegan?
Ben & Jerry’s offers a variety of vegan ice cream flavors, including:
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- P.B. & Cookies
- Peanut Butter Half Baked®
- Cherry Garcia
- Phish Food
- Coffee Caramel Cluster
- Crème Brûlée Cookie
- Mint Chocolate Cookie
- Karamel Sutra Core
- Just Like Heaven
- Tonight Dough
- Netflix & Chill’d
- Ava DuVernay’s Lights! Caramel!
These flavors are made with plant-based milk and other vegan ingredients, such as soy, almond, and coconut. They are also certified vegan by the Vegan Society.
Ben & Jerry’s also offers a number of non-vegan flavors, which contain dairy ingredients such as milk, cream, and eggs. These flavors are not labeled as vegan and should be avoided by those following a vegan diet.
You can find Ben & Jerry’s vegan ice cream in most grocery stores and online. The prices may vary depending on the store and the flavor.
What are Non-vegan ingredients in Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream?
The following are some of the non-vegan ingredients found in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream:
- Milk: Milk is a dairy product that is made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. It is a major ingredient in many Ben & Jerry’s flavors, including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cherry Garcia, and New York Super Fudge Chunk.
- Cream: Cream is a thick, fatty liquid that is made from milk. It is often used in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to add richness and creaminess.
- Eggs: Eggs are a common ingredient in many Ben & Jerry’s flavors, including Chunky Monkey, Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, and Phish Food. They are used to add binding, emulsifying, and leavening properties to the ice cream.
- Gelatin: Gelatin is a protein that is made from animal collagen. It is often used in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as a stabilizer and thickener.
- Whey: Whey is a liquid that is separated from milk during the cheesemaking process. It is a common ingredient in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, as it can add protein and a slightly sour flavor.
- Casein: Casein is a protein that is found in milk. It is often used in Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as a stabilizer and thickener.
It is important to note that not all Ben & Jerry’s flavors contain these ingredients. The company offers a variety of vegan ice cream options, which are made with plant-based milk and other vegan ingredients.
If you are following a vegan diet, it is important to check the ingredients list carefully before purchasing Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The company does not label its flavors as “vegan,” so it is up to the consumer to do their own research.
Is Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream gluten-free?
Not all Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors are gluten-free. The following flavors are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO):
- Cherry Garcia
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Phish Food
- Coffee Caramel Fudge Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
- Cold Brew Coffee Fudge Chip Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
- Go-To Cold Brew Ice Cream
The following flavors are gluten-free, but are not certified by the GFCO:
- Butter Pecan
- Chocolate Peanut Buttery Swirl
- Coconut Almond Fudge Chip Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert
- Lemonade Sorbet
- Mint Chocolate Chunk
- Punch Line
- Raspberry Low Fat Frozen Yogurt
- Strawberry Ice Cream
The following flavors contain gluten:
- Americone Dream
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- Coffee Heath Bar Crunch
- Chunky Monkey
- Half Baked
- New York Super Fudge Chunk
- Phish Food with Caramel swirl
- Tonight Dough
- Triple Caramel Chunk
Is Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream dairy-free?
Not all Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors are dairy-free. The company offers a variety of dairy-free ice cream options, which are made with plant-based milks and other vegan ingredients.
These flavors are certified vegan by the Vegan Society and are labeled as such. The following are some of the dairy-free flavors available from Ben & Jerry’s:
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- P.B. & Cookies
- Peanut Butter Half Baked®
- Cherry Garcia
- Phish Food
- Coffee Caramel Cluster
- Crème Brûlée Cookie
- Mint Chocolate Cookie
- Boom! Chocolatta
- Karamel Sutra Core
- Just Like Heaven
- Tonight Dough
- Netflix & Chill’d
- Ava DuVernay’s Lights! Caramel! Action!
The following flavors contain dairy and are not labeled as vegan:
- Americone Dream
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Coffee Heath Bar Crunch
- Chunky Monkey
- Half Baked
- New York Super Fudge Chunk
- Phish Food with Caramel swirl
- Tonight Dough
- Triple Caramel Chunk
If you are following a dairy-free diet, it is important to check the ingredients list carefully before purchasing Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The company does not label its flavors as “dairy-free,” so it is up to the consumer to do their own research.
Is Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream halal to eat?
Whether Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is halal to eat depends on your interpretation of halal. Some people believe that all products that contain alcohol are haram, while others believe that only products that contain a significant amount of alcohol are haram. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream contains a small amount of alcohol in some flavors, but the amount is less than 0.5%. This means that some people may consider it halal to eat, while others may not.
Whether Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is halal to eat depends on your interpretation of halal. Some people believe that all products that contain alcohol are haram, while others believe that only products that contain a significant amount of alcohol are haram. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream contains a small amount of alcohol in some flavors, but the amount is less than 0.5%. This means that some people may consider it halal to eat, while others may not.
Here are some of the Ben & Jerry’s flavors that are considered halal by some:
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- P.B. & Cookies
- Peanut Butter Half Baked®
- Cherry Garcia
- Phish Food
- Coffee Caramel Cluster
- Crème Brûlée Cookie
- Mint Chocolate Cookie
- Boom! Chocolatta
- Karamel Sutra Core
- Just Like Heaven
- Tonight Dough
- Netflix & Chill’d
- Ava DuVernay’s Lights! Caramel! Action!
Here are some of the Ben & Jerry’s flavors that are not considered halal by some:
- Americone Dream
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Coffee Heath Bar Crunch
- Chunky Monkey
- Half Baked
- New York Super Fudge Chunk
- Phish Food with Caramel swirl
- Tonight Dough
- Triple Caramel Chunk
Is Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Kosher certified?
Yes, some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavors are certified kosher by the KOF-K, an Orthodox Jewish certifying agency. The following flavors are certified kosher:
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- P.B. & Cookies
- Peanut Butter Half Baked®
- Cherry Garcia
- Phish Food
- Coffee Caramel Cluster
- Crème Brûlée Cookie
- Mint Chocolate Cookie
- Boom! Chocolatta
- Karamel Sutra Core
- Just Like Heaven
- Tonight Dough
- Netflix & Chill’d
- Ava DuVernay’s Lights! Caramel! Action!
The following flavors are not certified kosher:
- Americone Dream
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Coffee Heath Bar Crunch
- Chunky Monkey
- Half Baked
- New York Super Fudge Chunk
- Phish Food with Caramel swirl
- Triple Caramel Chunk
If you are looking for a kosher ice cream option, Ben & Jerry’s has a number of certified kosher flavors that are also vegan. These flavors are made with plant-based milks and other vegan ingredients.
