Jackson Reed
Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich has sparked controversy among vegans due to its non-vegan ingredients. While the sandwich features a plant-based sausage patty, it is served on a ciabatta bun containing eggs and dairy, and is accompanied by cheese and egg, making it unsuitable for vegan diets. This has led to criticism of Starbucks for false advertising and sparked discussions about the ethics of companies altering the definitions of terms like plant-based and vegan. Despite being meat-free, the sandwich has also received mixed reviews from dietitians due to its high sodium and saturated fat content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegan | No |
| Meat-free | Yes |
| Plant-based | Partially |
| Contains eggs | Yes |
| Contains cheese | Yes |
| Contains dairy | Yes |
| High in sodium | Yes |
| High in saturated fat | Yes |
| High in cholesterol | Yes |
| High in carbohydrates | Yes |
| High in protein | Yes |
| High in fiber | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The bun contains eggs and butter, making it non-vegan
Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is meat-free, but it is not vegan. The sandwich features a plant-based sausage patty, but it is served on a ciabatta bun with cheese and egg, which are animal products.
The bun is made with dairy, and while customers can ask a barista to remove the egg and cheese from the sandwich before it is cooked, the bun still contains eggs. This means that the sandwich is not vegan, as it contains animal products.
Amy Gorin, M.S., R.D.N., owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in New York, confirms that the sandwich is not vegan: "You can choose to order it without cheese or without eggs, but even if you leave off the cheese and eggs, there are eggs in the bun, which means it is not vegan."
Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, the Good Housekeeping Institute's registered dietitian, notes that while the calorie count of the sandwich is pretty standard, the sodium and fat nutritional counts are more concerning.
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The sandwich is meat-free but not vegan-friendly
Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is meat-free but not vegan-friendly. The sandwich features a plant-based sausage patty, but it is served on a ciabatta bun with cheese and egg, which are animal products. Even if you choose to order the sandwich without cheese or egg, the bun still contains eggs and butter, making the entire offering unsuitable for vegans.
The sandwich has been criticised by some Starbucks customers who follow a vegan lifestyle, with some accusing the company of false advertising. One Starbucks employee who identifies as vegan took to Reddit to urge fellow vegans not to order the sandwich, stating that it is "100% not vegan, nor is it even plant-based".
The sandwich has also been criticised by nutritionists for its high levels of saturated fat and sodium. One nutritionist, Stefani Sassos, has stated that the sandwich contains "almost half a day's worth of saturated fat, not to mention over 800mg of sodium, so this isn't a heart-healthy breakfast".
Despite the sandwich not being vegan-friendly, Starbucks has been applauded for expanding its menu to include more meat-free options. Dietitians have praised the sandwich for being a good source of protein and fiber, with one commenting that "this new menu item is certainly a step in the right direction".
While the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich may not be suitable for those following a vegan diet, Starbucks offers other plant-based milk alternatives, such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk.
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Starbucks' ethics and sourcing practices
Starbucks has been criticized for its sourcing practices, with some claiming that the company sources its products from regions with human slavery and indentured servitude conditions. However, Starbucks has implemented ethical sourcing practices, specifically for its coffee beans. The company has developed C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) Practices, a verification program that ensures ethical sourcing and promotes transparent, profitable, and sustainable coffee growing practices. The program includes over 200 indicators, including financial reporting, protecting workers' rights, and conserving water and biodiversity. Starbucks has also invested over $150 million to increase the prosperity and resilience of coffee farmers and workers worldwide.
Starbucks has also expanded its menu to include meat-free options, such as the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich. While the sandwich is meat-free, it is not vegan, as it contains eggs and cheese. This has led to criticism from some consumers, who feel that Starbucks is not adequately catering to vegan diets.
The company has also made efforts to support its supply chains and farming communities, with initiatives such as farmer loans, open-source agronomy work, farmer support centers, and tree donations. Starbucks is committed to offering ethically purchased and responsibly produced sustainable products, including arabica coffee, tea, cocoa, and manufactured goods. They aim to support the communities they source from, ensuring the long-term sustainability of their products.
Starbucks's ethical sourcing practices extend beyond coffee, with goals to achieve carbon-neutral green coffee processing and conserve water usage in green coffee processing by 50% by 2030. The company also provides Origin Grants to support women and girls in its sourcing communities. Overall, Starbucks strives to conduct business responsibly and support the communities where it operates.
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Nutrition and health concerns
The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks is meat-free and features a plant-based sausage patty. However, it is not vegan because, in addition to the patty, it contains cheese and egg, and the ciabatta bun contains eggs and dairy.
The sandwich has been criticised for its high sodium and saturated fat content. One sandwich contains almost half the daily recommended amount of saturated fat and over 800mg of sodium, which is not heart-healthy. It also contains 63% of the daily value of cholesterol. Dietitian Amy Gorin recommends skipping the cheese to reduce the fat content, but even without the cheese, the sandwich still contains eggs and dairy, meaning it is not vegan.
The sandwich does have some nutritional benefits, however. It is an excellent source of protein, offering 22 grams, which is an amount that Gorin says is not often seen in vegetarian menu items. It also contains a good amount of fibre, with 11% of the daily value, although another source states the fibre content is lower, at 3 grams.
While the sandwich is not vegan, Starbucks has been applauded for expanding its menu to include more meat-free options.
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Customisation options
The Impossible Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks is meat-free and features a plant-based sausage patty. However, it is not vegan because, in addition to the patty, it contains cheese and egg. While you can customise the sandwich by ordering it without cheese or egg, the bun also contains eggs, and butter or dairy, meaning it is not vegan.
Starbucks allows customers to customise their orders by removing certain ingredients. However, in the case of the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich, customisation options are limited due to the pre-packaged nature of the sandwich.
You could ask the barista to remove the egg and cheese from the sandwich before cooking, but as mentioned, the bun is not vegan-friendly. The only truly vegan part of the sandwich is the patty, which is pre-packaged with the non-vegan ingredients, so it cannot be ordered in isolation.
If you are looking for vegan options at Starbucks, it may be better to choose an item that is already vegan or customisable to be vegan, rather than trying to adapt the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich. For example, Starbucks offers plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk, which can be used in coffee orders.
In terms of food options, a Starbucks employee recommends the Spinach, Feta & Cage-Free Egg White Wrap or oatmeal with nuts and fruit as healthier vegetarian choices. While these options are not vegan as they contain dairy and/or egg, they may be more easily adaptable to vegan requirements by removing or replacing those ingredients.
It is worth noting that customisation options may vary depending on the location and availability of ingredients at your local Starbucks. It is always a good idea to check with the barista about the possibilities for customisation and to ensure that your order meets your dietary needs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich is not vegan. While the sandwich is meat-free, it contains eggs and cheese, and the bun contains butter and eggs.
The sandwich features a plant-based sausage patty, fried egg, and cheddar cheese on a ciabatta roll.
Yes, Starbucks offers plant-based milk alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, and oat milk. They also have a Spinach, Feta & Cage-Free Egg White Wrap and oatmeal with nuts and fruit, which are suitable for vegetarians.
The sandwich has a high amount of saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. It also contains refined carbohydrates and less fiber than other options.
No, the sandwich cannot be made vegan as the plant-based sausage patty is prepackaged with the other ingredients, and the bun contains eggs and dairy.
