Is Maggi Vegan? Vegan Status of Different Maggi Products

Did you know that Maggi was first invented in Switzerland by a swiss entrepreneur, Julius Maggi?

Its price point and unique flavour have made it a household name worldwide, from Asia to Australia to Latin America. 

But is Maggi vegan? Yes! Maggi products are vegan unless otherwise mentioned, like the chicken base or beef base. However, ingredients like sugar push even vegan products into the grey area. 

Did you know that Maggi sells more than 7000 products in 98 countries? And every product has its flavor profile, which varies from country to country. 

In this article, we will discuss the products available in the US and the world-famous 2-minute Maggi noodles.

Is Maggi Vegan or Not?

Yes! Unless otherwise mentioned, Maggi products are all vegan. They are made with plant-based ingredients and do not contain any animal-derived products. 

However, there is a catch. Certain ingredients may have an animal origin or involve an animal-derived product in the manufacturing process. 

Having been around for more than a decade, Maggi’s line of products has a global reach. But, more often than not, they are customized to suit regional preferences.

They add a burst of umami flavor to anything that’s paired with including soups, stews, grilled vegetables, or even mixed drinks. 

The key is to start adding the seasoning sparingly like you would do with soy sauce since it is a bit of an acquired taste. 

Here is the list of Maggi products available in America:

Coming to the 2-minute instant noodles, apart from the meat flavor, all the others are vegan.

Maggi Ingredients

Maggi seasonings is a unique spice blend that adds an umami flavor to anything you pair it with. Though the seasonings remain the same, the taste profile differs depending on the regional preferences. For example, the Mexican version will be spicier while the Philippines has a prominent garlicky taste. 

Here are the ingredients of Maggi’s line of products in the US. 

Controversial Ingredients

Generally, Maggi products are vegan except for the meat flavors, which are evident from their names. While Maggi’s vegan products do not contain animal-derived ingredients, they have some problematic ingredients, such as sugar, disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate, flavor enhancer 635, and dextrose. 

• Disodium guanylate 

Also called flavor enhancer E627, disodium guanylate is a famous MSG substitute. It is commonly made from fermented tapioca starch, yeast extract, seaweed, and mushrooms. However, an early study in 1988 revealed that it could also be derived from animal sources. 

• Disodium inosinate

Otherwise called flavor enhancer E631, disodium inosinate is not always derived from plant sources. Meat and seafood are also significant sources of disodium inosinate. 

• Dextrose 

Dextrose is a type of sugar generally obtained from corn. However, it is also possible that it is also derived from sugar. 

• Sugar 

Unless organic or raw, the refining process of sugar involves bone char (charred bones of animals.)

• Flavor enhancer 635

Flavor enhancer 635 (used in vegan products) is derived from plant sources such as tapioca starch and yeast extract. However, it is also possible to extract natural glutamate from meat. 

Sources of the products mentioned above cannot be ascertained unless otherwise mentioned by the manufacturer. However, if the brand labeled the product vegan, they may have used plant sources. 

What is Maggi?

Maggi is a well-known brand famous for its instant noodles and seasonings. Having been around for more than 125 years now, they have served millions of households worldwide with their savory sauces, bouillons, and seasonings, not to mention the infamous 2-minute instant noodles. 

Invented in Switzerland in the late 1800s by Julius Maggi, Maggi seasonings are so popular that they have transcended cultures and cuisines, thanks to the umami-rich flavor profile. 

Having a worldwide presence, Maggi has different flavorings unique to every region, depending on the local cuisine. 

Is Maggi Good for Health?

While Maggi is safe to eat, it is not good for your health. There’s nothing nutritious about instant noodles. With 719.8 mg or 30% of the daily value, 14% total fat, and 272 calories per serve, it is one of the highly calorific foods out there. 

While Maggi seasoning does not contribute much towards calories, it also has 440 mg or 18% of the daily value for every 1 tsp. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Maggi seasonings have been a staple in many pantries worldwide, especially in Asian, Mexican, and Latin American households. This brings us to today’s question: 

Is Maggi vegan? The formulations are generally vegan and derived from plant-based ingredients. However, vegans may want to think twice. Few ingredients, such as food enhancers and sugar, have questionable sources. 

Remember that they are present in a large variety of processed foods to increase the shelf life and flavor profile. 

Do they matter on a large scale of things?

References used to write this blog: