Is Coke Zero Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Zesty Truth

June 12, 2023

Trying to work out if Coca-Cola Zero is vegan can be difficult.

The Coca-Cola Company masks the actual ingredients behind vague terms, such as “natural 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 and drinking soft drinks that align with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Coke Zero.

Here’s what I found.

Is Coke Zero Vegan?

Yes! Coke Zero is a vegan-friendly drink.

Coke Zero is vegan because it doesn’t contain any animal products or by-products.

The only ingredients in Coke Zero are carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, and caffeine.

All of these ingredients are plant based or synthetic and none of them come from animals.

You can drink Coke Zero knowing that no animals were harmed in the making of your drink!

Is Coke Zero Cruelty Free?

Yes! Coke Zero is a cruelty-free soft drink.

This soda is not tested on animals at any point during production. It also doesn’t contain ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Animal testing is a cruel and outdated practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, or dead.

It’s great to see that Coke Zero is not only vegan but also cruelty free.

What Is Coke Zero Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Coke Zero:

  • Carbonated water
  • Caramel color
  • Phosphoric acid
  • Aspartame
  • Potassium benzoate
  • Natural flavors
  • Potassium citrate
  • Acesulfame potassium
  • Phenylalanine

Let’s break down each ingredient of Coke Zero:

Carbonated water

Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas. It’s the main ingredient in all fizzy drinks and sodas, including Coke Zero. It is vegan.

Caramel color

Caramel color is a food coloring made by heating carbohydrates. It gives Coke Zero its brown color. Caramel color is vegan friendly.

Phosphoric acid

Phosphoric acid is an acidic compound that gives Coke Zero its tangy taste. It is vegan friendly.

Aspartame

Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener. It’s used to sweeten Coke Zero without adding calories. Aspartame is vegan.

Potassium benzoate

Potassium benzoate is a preservative that is used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. It is vegan friendly.

Natural flavors

Natural flavors are substances that are extracted from plants or animals to give food or drink the desired flavor. In Coke Zero, the natural flavors are probably vegan given the nature of the product.

Potassium citrate

Potassium citrate is a salt that is used to adjust the acidity of Coke Zero. It is vegan friendly.

Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is a low-calorie artificial sweetener. It’s used to sweeten Coke Zero without adding calories. Acesulfame potassium is vegan friendly.

Phenylalanine

Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is found in some artificial sweeteners. It’s used to sweeten Coke Zero without adding calories. Phenylalanine is vegan friendly.

Why Is Coke Zero Vegan?

This Coca-Cola zero-sugar variant of Coke is vegan because it is made with only plant-based or synthetic ingredients. 

The problem with other soft drinks is the sweetener they use. Cane sugar is a common sweetener in soda that is not vegan because it is often processed with bone char. 

Coke Zero uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium as a sweetener, both of which are vegan friendly.

Is Original Coke Vegan?

Yes! This Coca-Cola classic is vegan because it is free of animal ingredients. Its ingredients are carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine.

This Coca-Cola product is suitable for vegan consumption.

Is Diet Coke Vegan?

Yes! Diet Coke is vegan because it is free of animal ingredients. The ingredients in Diet Coke are carbonated water, caramel color, sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame k), and natural flavorings, including caffeine, phosphoric acid, citric acid, and phenylalanine.

Diet Coke is suitable for vegan consumption.

Is Cherry Coke Vegan?

Yes! Coca-Cola Cherry Coke is also vegan because it too is free of animal ingredients. Its ingredients are Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, caffeine, phosphoric acid, and natural flavors.

Coca-Cola Cherry Coke is suitable for vegan consumption.

Is Coca-Cola With Coffee Vegan?

Yes! Coca-Cola with Coffee is also vegan because it is also free of animal-derived ingredients. Its ingredients are carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, coffee powder, natural flavors, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate, caffeine, potassium sorbate, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium.

This Coca-Cola product is suitable for vegan consumers.

Is Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola Vegan?

Yes! Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola is also vegan because it contains no animal products or by-products. Its ingredients are carbonated water, sugar, caramel color, phosphoric acid, and natural flavors.

This Coca-Cola product is suitable for vegan consumers.

Final Words

So, there you have it! Coke Zero is vegan because it is free of any animal products or by-products. It also doesn’t contain sugar or gelatin like some other soda brands on the market. In fact, Coca-Cola claims that all its soft drinks are vegan. 

You can enjoy a refreshing Coke Zero, Diet Coke, or any Coca-Cola soft drink without having to worry about animal products in your drink. Cheers!