Are Built Bars Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Built Bars are vegan can be a tough task.

This is because they contain many different ingredients that may be of concern to vegans.

To make sure that you only consume foods that align with your vegan lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production process of Built Bars.

Here’s what I found.

Are Built Bars Vegan?

No. Built Bars are not vegan.

These energy bars are made with whey protein, which is a by-product of milk. They also contain nonfat milk and gelatin. All of these ingredients came from animals so, no, these protein bars are not vegan.

There are many brands of vegan protein bars on the market that don’t use any animal products whatsoever.

If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious vegan protein bar, I recommend checking out one of these brands.

Are Built Bars Cruelty-Free?

No. Built Bars are not cruelty-free.

This is because they contain milk and milk derivatives. Milk is an animal product that comes from dairy cows. Cows are one of the many animals that are subjected to cruel treatment on farms.

On dairy farms, cows are artificially inseminated and kept pregnant so that they can produce milk constantly. They are also confined to small spaces and have little room to move around.

And while they weren’t killed in the making of these protein bars, the cows still underwent immense suffering.

So, Built Bars cannot be considered cruelty-free.

What Is a Protein Bar?

A protein bar is a type of food that contains a high amount of protein.

Protein bars are often used by athletes or people who want to gain muscle mass. They are also sometimes used as meal replacements or snacks.

Protein bars enjoyed in combination with exercise and a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help people reach their fitness goals.

What Are Built Bars Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Built Bars:

Protein blend (whey protein isolate, partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate)
Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin, vanilla)
Water
Digestion resistant maltodextrin
Glycerin
Almonds
Coconut
Erythritol
Gelatin
Natural flavor
Citric acid
Nonfat dry milk
Peanut flour

Let’s break down each ingredient of Built Bars:

Protein blend (whey protein isolate, partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate)

Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps with muscle growth and repair.

Whey protein is a type of protein that is derived from milk. It is one of the two main proteins found in milk, the other being casein.

Whey protein isolate is a more refined form of whey protein. And partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate is even more refined. These are not vegan.

Dark chocolate (chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, milk fat, soy lecithin, vanilla)

Chocolate is made from the cacao bean. And to make chocolate liquor, the beans are ground into a paste.

This chocolate paste is then combined with other ingredients like sugar, cocoa butter, milk fat, and soy lecithin. And finally, vanilla is added for flavor.

Milk fat is derived from animals, making this ingredient non-vegan.

Water

Water is vegan friendly and is one of the main ingredients in Built Bars. It is used to help mix and dissolve the other ingredients.

Digestion resistant maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is often used as a food additive because it has a sweet taste and can help improve the texture, taste, and shelf life of foods. It is derived from starch and is usually made from corn, potatoes, or rice. This ingredient is vegan friendly.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a type of alcohol that is often used as a food additive. It is derived from plants and animals. However, most glycerin that is used in foods is plant based. This ingredient is vegan friendly.

Almonds

Almonds are a type of nut that contains healthy fats, fiber, protein, and vitamins. They are vegan friendly and are one of the main ingredients in Built Bars. They are often used as a source of protein in vegan diets.

Coconut

Coconut is a type of fruit that contains healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient. Coconuts are often used as a source of fat in vegan diets.

Erythritol

Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol that is often used as a sugar substitute. It is derived from plants and is vegan friendly.

Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein that is derived from animals. It is often used as a food additive because it can help improve the texture and taste of foods. Gelatin is not vegan friendly.

Natural flavor

Natural flavors are usually derived from plants or animals. However, they can also be made in a laboratory. Natural flavors are often used to enhance the taste and smell of foods. They can be vegan-friendly or not, depending on their source.

Citric acid

Citric acid is a type of fruit acid that is often used as a food additive. It is derived from plants and is vegan friendly.

Nonfat dry milk

Nonfat dry milk is a powder that is made from milk that has had the fat removed. It is not vegan friendly because it is derived from animals.

Peanut flour

Peanut flour is a type of flour that is made from peanuts. It is vegan friendly and is often used as a source of protein in vegan diets.

Why Aren’t Built Bars Vegan?

Built Bars are not vegan because they contain milk-based and animal-derived ingredients like whey protein and gelatin. While some of the other ingredients in Built Bars are plant based, these non-vegan ingredients are what make the product non-vegan.

If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Built Bars, many other options on the market are made with only vegan-friendly ingredients. Or, you could make your own protein bars at home using only vegan ingredients. There are many recipes available online that use plant-based proteins, fruits, and nuts to create delicious and nutritious protein bars.

Are Built Bars Cherry Barcia Vegan?

No. Built Bars Cherry Barcia are not vegan because they contain milk-based ingredients like whey protein and gelatin.