Figuring out if your favorite breakfast cereal is vegan can be tricky.
Cereal manufacturers often mask the actual ingredients behind vague terms such as “artificial flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To make sure you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Cocoa Krispies.
Here’s what I found out.
Are Cocoa Krispies Vegan?
No. Cocoa Krispies are not vegan.
Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies aren’t vegan because they contain refined sugar. Refined sugar is often processed with animal bone char to make it white. Unless the sugar in the product is explicitly labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably processed with bone char.
Cocoa Krispies also contain vitamin D3, which is usually sourced from sheep wool. Vitamin D3 is sometimes derived from lichen, a type of algae, but this is not always the case.
So, if you’re looking for a vegan breakfast cereal option, Cocoa Krispies are not it. There are plenty of other delicious vegan cereals out there, so you’re sure to find one that will suit your taste.
Are Cocoa Krispies Cruelty-Free?
No. Cocoa Krispies are not a cruelty-free product.
Cocoa Krispies are manufactured by Kellogg’s, a cruelty-free company. This crispy rice cereal does not undergo any kind of animal testing at any point in the production process. However, they do contain ingredients that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is a cruel and unnecessary process that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, injured, or dead. By choosing cruelty-free products, you can help spare animals from this fate and support companies that are ethical and humane.
What Are Cocoa Krispies Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Cocoa Krispies:
- Rice
- Sugar
- Cocoa processed with alkali
- Semisweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate, dextrose)
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut, soybean, and/or cottonseed)
- Salt
- Malt flavor
- Artificial flavor
- BHT for freshness
- Vitamins and minerals: calcium carbonate, vitamin C (ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate), iron, vitamin E (alpha tocopherol acetate), niacinamide, zinc oxide, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12
Let’s break down all the ingredients of Cocoa Krispies.
Rice
Rice is used as the main ingredient in Cocoa Krispies. Rice is an annual cereal grass grown in warm climates and cultivated for its seed, which is the part of the plant eaten by humans. It is vegan.
Sugar
Sugar is a sweetener that is derived from either sugar cane or sugar beets. Because it is filtered with bone char, it is not vegan unless otherwise stated.
Cocoa processed with alkali
Another main ingredient in Cocoa Krispies is cocoa processed with alkali. This type of cocoa has been treated with an alkaline solution, which makes it darker. Cocoa processed with alkali is vegan.
Semisweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate, dextrose)
The semisweet chocolate used in making the coating for the cereal contains sugar, chocolate, and dextrose. This ingredient is not vegan because of the refined sugar.
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (coconut, soybean, and/or cottonseed)
Partially hydrogenated vegetable oil is also used in making Cocoa Krispies. This oil is usually made from soybeans, but it can also be made from other vegetables, like cottonseed or coconut. It is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor or as a preservative. It is vegan.
Malt flavoring
Malt flavor is used to add flavor to the cereal. Malt flavor is made from malted barley, which is vegan.
Artificial flavor
Artificial flavor is used to add flavor to the cereal. They are synthetically created and are therefore vegan.
BHT for freshness
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) is a lab-made preservative that is used to keep the cereal fresh. It is vegan.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are added to the cereal to fortify it. Some of these vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D3, are not vegan because they come from animal sources.
Why Aren’t Cocoa Krispies Vegan?
Cocoa Krispies is not vegan because it contains sugar and vitamin D3. Refined sugar is plant based but is often processed with bone char to make it look whiter. Vitamin D3 is usually sourced from sheep wool and fish oil.
These two ingredients make Cocoa Krispies unsuitable for vegans.
If you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Cocoa Krispies, I recommend checking out other breakfast cereals. There are plenty of other vegan breakfast cereals on the market that are just as delicious and nutritious as Cocoa Krispies.
Are Kellogg’s Coco Pops Chocos Vegan?
No. Kellogg’s Coco Pops Chocos are not vegan because they contain refined sugar.
Kellogg’s Coco Pops Chocos are not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Vegan?
No. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are not vegan because they contain refined sugar and vitamin D3.
These corn flakes are not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Vegan?
No. Frosted Flakes are not vegan because they contain vitamin D3, which is derived from fish oil or lanolin (wool grease).
These corn flakes are not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Kellogg’s Froot Loops Vegan?
No. Kellogg’s Froot Loops are not vegan because they contain refined sugar.
This fruity cereal is not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Vegan?
No. Honey Smacks are not vegan because they contain honey and sugar.
This cereal is not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Vegan?
No. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal is not vegan because it contains refined sugar.
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal is not suitable for vegan consumers.
Are Rice Krispies Treats Vegan?
No. Rice Krispies Treats are made from Rice Krispies cereal, which is not vegan because it contains refined sugar.
This crispy rice treat is not suitable for vegan consumers.
To make your own vegan rice crispy treats, try using Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal.
Vegan Alternatives to Cocoa Krispies
If you are craving a bowl of Cocoa Krispies but want to stick to a vegan diet, don’t worry! There are plenty of vegan cereal brands on the market that are just as delicious and nutritious as Cocoa Krispies. Here are some of my favorite vegan breakfast cereals:
- 365 Whole Foods Organic Brown Rice Crisps
- 365 Whole Foods Cocoa Rice Crisps
- One Degree Veganic Brown Rice Cacao Crisps
- Barbara’s Organic Brown Rice Crisps
- One Degree Sprouted Brown Rice Crisps
- Nature’s Path Organic Crispy Rice
All these vegan crispy rice cereal brands taste great with almond milk or on their own. So, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative to Cocoa Krispies, I recommend checking out one of these cereals.
Final Words
There you go! Kellegg’s Cocoa Krispies and Kellogg’s Rice Krispies are not vegan because they contain sugar and vitamin D3. These two ingredients make Cocoa Krispies unsuitable for vegans. If you want to stick to a vegan diet, I recommend checking out the vegan cereals I’ve listed above.
But, as always, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure the cereal you’re buying is actually vegan.