Figuring out whether Cocoa Puffs are vegan can be difficult.
Breakfast cereals often mask their ingredients behind super vague terms such as “natural ingredients,” and even if they do give you a full list, deciphering whether they’re vegan can be tricky.
To make sure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Cocoa Puffs.
Here’s what I found.
Are Cocoa Puffs Vegan?
No. Cocoa Puffs are not vegan.
Cocoa Puffs cereal is made by General Mills, which makes several popular breakfast cereals. This chocolate cereal’s main ingredients are whole grain corn and cornmeal, but it also contains vitamin D3 and refined sugar.
Vitamin D3 is a common supplement added to cereals. It’s usually sourced from lanolin, which is a grease derived from sheep wool.
Sugar is plant based but is often processed with bone char to make it whiter. Bone char is charcoal made from ground-up animal bones. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
These two ingredients make Cocoa Puffs unsuitable for vegan consumption.
Are Cocoa Puffs Cruelty-Free?
Yes! Cocoa Puffs are cruelty-free.
Cocoa Puffs are not tested on animals at any point during production. In addition, they also don’t contain ingredients that are routinely tested on animals, like artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is an outdated and cruel practice that should be stopped. It only causes animals pain and suffering, and sometimes with no guarantee that the products are safe for human use.
Thankfully, more and more companies are moving away from this outdated practice.
What Are Cocoa Puffs Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Cocoa Puffs:
- Whole grain corn
- Sugar
- Cornmeal
- Corn syrup
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Canola oil
- Fructose
- Salt
- Caramel color
- Refiner’s syrup
- Baking soda
- Natural flavor
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Calcium carbonate
- Zinc and iron (mineral nutrients)
- Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
- A B Vitamin (niacinamide)
- Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
- Vitamin A (palmitate)
- Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D3
Let’s break down each ingredient of Cocoa Puffs:
Whole grain corn
Whole grain corn is a type of corn that includes the entire kernel of the corn. The kernel is the edible part of the corn that is surrounded by the husk. Whole grain corn is a vegan ingredient.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweet, crystalline substance that is obtained from sugar cane or sugar beet. It is used to add sweetness to food and drinks. Sugar is often processed through bone char, an animal by-product, to make it whiter. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.
Cornmeal
Cornmeal is a type of flour that is made from grinding whole corn kernels. It is often used as a breading for frying foods. Cornmeal is a vegan ingredient.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a type of syrup that is made from cornstarch. It is often used as a sweetener or an additive in food and drinks. Corn syrup is a vegan ingredient.
Cocoa processed with alkali
Cocoa processed with alkali is cocoa that has been treated with an alkali solution. This process makes the cocoa more soluble and gives it a milder flavor. Cocoa processed with alkali is a vegan ingredient.
Canola oil
Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is made from the seeds of the canola plant. It is often used in cooking and baking. Canola oil is a vegan ingredient.
Fructose
Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in fruits and honey. It is often used as a sweetener in food and drinks. Fructose is a vegan ingredient.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that is composed of sodium and chloride. It is often used to add flavor or to preserve food. Salt is a vegan ingredient.
Caramel color
Caramel color is a type of food coloring that is made by heating carbohydrates. It is often used to add color to food and drinks. Caramel color can be either vegan or not, depending on the source of the carbohydrates.
Refiner’s syrup
Refiner’s syrup is a type of syrup that is made from refined sugar. It is often used as a sweetener or an additive in food and drinks. Refiner’s syrup can be vegan or not, depending on the sugar. This syrup is probably not vegan.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a type of powder that is used to leaven bread and cakes. Baking soda is a vegan ingredient.
Natural flavor
Natural flavor is a type of flavoring that is made from natural ingredients. It is often used to add flavor to food and drinks. Natural flavor can be either vegan or not, depending on the source of the ingredients.
Tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a type of calcium salt that is often used as a dietary supplement. It is a vegan ingredient.
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a type of calcium salt that is often used as a dietary supplement or an antacid. It is a vegan ingredient.
Zinc and iron
Zinc and iron are two types of mineral nutrients that are often added to food and drinks. They are both vegan ingredients.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a type of vitamin that is found in fruits and vegetables. It is a vegan ingredient.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin often used as a dietary supplement. It is a vegan ingredient.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a type of vitamin often used as a dietary supplement. It is a vegan ingredient.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Riboflavin is a type of vitamin that is found in foods such as milk, eggs, and leafy green vegetables. It is a vegan ingredient.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
Thiamin mononitrate is a type of vitamin often used as a dietary supplement. It is a vegan ingredient.
Vitamin A (palmitate)
Palmitate is a type of vitamin that is found in animal products, such as milk and eggs. It is not a vegan ingredient.
Folic acid
Folic acid is a type of vitamin that is found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, and nuts. It is a vegan ingredient.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin that is found in animal products, such as milk, eggs, and meat. It can also be found in some fortified foods. Vitamin B12 is not a vegan ingredient, but vegans can get it through supplements.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is a type of vitamin D3 that is often found in sheep’s wool. It is not a vegan ingredient.
Why Aren’t Cocoa Puffs Vegan?
This delicious cereal is not vegan because it contains Vitamin D3 and sugar. Vitamin D3 is often sourced from sheep’s wool, and sugar is usually refined with bone char. Granted, vitamin D3 can sometimes be derived from lichen, but wool-sourced D3 is more common. So, if you’re vegan and looking to enjoy a bowl of Cocoa Puffs, you’re out of luck. The good news is there are plenty of other vegan breakfast options out there for you to enjoy.
Are Honey Nut Cheerios Vegan?
No. This product contains honey, vitamin D3, and refined sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Corn Chex Vegan?
No. This cereal contains sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Lucky Charms Marshmallow Clusters Cereal Vegan?
No. This product is not vegan because it contains gelatin.
This breakfast cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Cookie Crisp Vegan?
No. This product contains vitamin D3 and sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Raisin Nut Bran Vegan?
No. This product contains molasses, which is made from refined sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Cocoa Puffs
If you’re in the mood for some delicious breakfast cereal but don’t want to sacrifice your vegan principles, don’t worry. There are plenty of great vegan cereal brands on the market. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Kashi GO Chocolate Crunch
- Seven Sundays Early Riser Dark Chocolate Muesli
- Annie’s Organic Cocoa Bunnies
- Lydia’s Organics Grainless Apple Cereal
These breakfast products are all vegan friendly and delicious! You won’t have to miss out on your favorite breakfast food just because you’re vegan. So go ahead and enjoy these great vegan alternatives to Cocoa Puffs.
Final Words
So, there you have it! Cocoa Puffs are not vegan because they contain vitamin D3 and refined sugar. These two ingredients are often sourced or refined from animal products. However, there are many great vegan alternatives out there that are just as delicious. So go ahead and enjoy some vegan breakfast today! Enjoy!