Figuring out whether Cinnamon Life is vegan can be challenging.
Cereal companies often mask their ingredients under vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even if they provide a whole list, it can be difficult to determine which ones are vegan.
To ensure that you are only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Cinnamon Life.
Here’s what I found.
Is Cinnamon Life Cereal Vegan?
No. Cinnamon Life is not vegan.
Cinnamon Life, as well as the other Life cereal flavors, contains refined sugar. Refined sugar is often filtered with bone char to make it whiter. Bone char is derived from ground-up animal bones and is definitely not vegan.
Unless the product explicitly states that its sugar is organic, raw, or unrefined, it is probably not vegan.
There are other vegan cereals available on the market that you can try that do not contain refined sugar so look for those instead.
Is Cinnamon Life Cruelty Free?
Yes! Cinnamon Life is cruelty free.
Cinnamon Life cereal does not involve any animal testing at any point in the production process. It also does not include any animal-tested ingredients, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that frequently results in the deformity, pain, or death of helpless animals. Thankfully, Quaker Oats Company, the producer of Cinnamon Life, does not allow such inhumane treatment of animals and is helping to end animal cruelty.
What Is Cinnamon Life Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Cinnamon Life:
- Whole grain oat flour
- Sugar
- Corn flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Calcium carbonate
- Salt
- Cinnamon
- Baking soda
- Caramel color
- Tocopherols (to preserve freshness)
- Reduced iron
- Niacinamide
- Natural flavor
- Thiamine mononitrate
- Annatto (color)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
Let’s break down all the Cinnamon Life cereal ingredients:
Whole grain oat flour
Whole grain oat flour is a type of flour made from, you guessed it, whole grain oats. It is used as a key ingredient in many recipes, including bread, cookies, and pancakes. It is a vegan ingredient.
Sugar
Sugar is used to sweeten food and give it flavor. It is often used in baking to add sweetness and texture to baked goods. Most refined sugar is not vegan because it is filtered with bone char.
Corn flour
Corn flour is a type of flour made from cornmeal. It is used in various recipes, such as cornbread and tortillas. Corn flour is a vegan ingredient.
Whole wheat flour
Whole wheat flour is a type of flour made from whole wheat kernels. It is used in many recipes, such as bread and pasta. Whole wheat flour is a vegan ingredient.
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a type of salt found in rocks and minerals. It is often used as a dietary supplement to help with calcium deficiencies. Calcium carbonate is a vegan ingredient.
Salt
Salt is used to add flavor or as a preservative. It is a vegan ingredient.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice made from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum. It is used to add flavor to food. Cinnamon is a vegan ingredient.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a leavening agent often used in baking to help the dough rise. Baking soda is a vegan ingredient.
Caramel color
Caramel color is a type of food coloring made by heating carbohydrates. It is used to add color to food. Caramel color is a vegan ingredient.
Tocopherols
Tocopherols are a type of vitamin E that helps to preserve the freshness of food. It can be derived from plant, animal, or petroleum sources. Tocopherols may or may not be vegan depending on the source.
Reduced iron
Reduced iron is a type of iron that has been chemically treated to make it more soluble in water. It is often used as a dietary supplement to help with iron deficiencies. Reduced iron is a vegan ingredient.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B that helps the body convert food into energy. It is sourced from nicotinic acid in plant-based foods like nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. It is a vegan ingredient.
Natural flavors
Natural flavors are used to add flavor to food. They can be derived from plant, animal, or synthetic sources. Natural flavors may or may not be vegan depending on the source.
Thiamine mononitrate
Thiamine mononitrate is a type of vitamin B that helps the body convert food into energy. It is produced synthetically from thiamine hydrochloride. It is a vegan ingredient.
Annatto
Annatto is a type of food coloring made from the seeds of the achiote tree. It is used to add color to food. Annatto is a vegan ingredient.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a type of vitamin B that helps the body convert food into energy. It is produced synthetically from pyridoxine. It is a vegan ingredient.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin is a type of vitamin B that helps the body convert food into energy. It is found naturally in some foods, such as dairy products, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. Riboflavin is vegan friendly.
Folic acid
Folic acid is a type of vitamin B that helps the body convert food into energy. It is found naturally in some foods, such as beans and leafy green vegetables. Folic acid is a vegan ingredient.
Why Isn’t Cinnamon Life Cereal Vegan?
Cinnamon Life isn’t vegan because it contains refined sugar. Sugar is not vegan because it is often whitened using bone char, which is manufactured from animal bones. Unless the sugar in the product is organic, raw, or unrefined, it is safer to assume that the product is not suitable for vegan consumption.
Is Chocolate Life Vegan?
No. Chocolate Life contains refined sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Original Life Vegan?
No. Original Life Cereal contains refined sugar.
Original Life Cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Vanilla Life Vegan?
No. Vanilla Life cereal contains refined sugar.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar Vegan?
No. Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar is not vegan because as the name suggests, it contains brown sugar, which is likely processed with bone char.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey & Almonds Vegan?
No. Quaker Simply Granola Oats, Honey & Almonds contains sugar, whey, molasses, and honey.
This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Cinnamon Life
If you enjoy eating cereal but are seeking a vegan alternative, there are a few brands that provide similar products. Here are some of my favorites:
- Shreddies The Original
- Original Shredded Wheat
- Nature’s Path Envirokidz Organic
- Barbara’s Organic Brown Rice Crisps
- Kashi Breakfast Cereal
All of these products are delicious and can make a flavorful and healthy vegan cereal option. I would encourage you to try one of these brands the next time you are at the grocery store.
Final Words
So, there you have it! If you’ve wondered “Is Cinnamon Life Vegan?” then you now know the answer is no. However, there are many vegan-friendly cereal alternatives that are available on the market. They all provide a delicious and nutritious option for those seeking a plant-based diet. But as always, be sure to check the ingredients list before purchasing any product to make sure it meets your ethical and dietary needs. Cheers!