Are Corn Flakes Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Figuring out whether Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are vegan friendly can be a bit tough.

Most breakfast cereals contain many ingredients and some of them may be animal products.

To make sure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Corn Flakes.

Here’s what I found out.

Are Corn Flakes Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are not vegan.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are a breakfast cereal product known for a simple but delicious corn taste. The flakes are made of milled corn, sugar, malt flavoring, and salt.

While the ingredients in Corn Flakes may initially seem like they would be vegan, there are two key ingredients that are not vegan friendly.

The first is refined sugar. Refined sugar is often processed using bone char, which is derived from ground-up animal bones. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.

The second non-vegan ingredient in Corn Flakes is Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is often sourced from lanolin, which comes from sheep’s wool.

So, while Corn Flakes don’t have any overtly animal-derived ingredients, they do contain hidden animal products that make them unsuitable for strict vegans.

Are Corn Flakes Cruelty-Free?

Yes! Corn Flakes are cruelty-free.

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes are not tested on animals at any point of the production process. There are also no ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial flavors or colors.

Animal testing is an outdated and unethical practice that should no longer be used. There are many ways to ensure that products are safe for human use without harming animals. Thankfully, Kellogg’s and many other companies are moving away from this cruel method.

What Are Corn Flakes Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Corn Flakes:

Milled corn
Sugar
Malt flavor
Salt
Iron (ferric phosphate)
Niacinamide
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride)
Folic acid
Vitamin D3
Vitamin B12

Let’s break down each ingredient of Corn Flakes:

Milled corn

Milled corn is simply whole corn kernels that have been ground down into smaller pieces. It is used in many cereal products and it is a good source of carbohydrates. Milled corn is a vegan ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is a type of carbohydrate that is derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. It is used to sweeten food and can be found in many processed foods. Sugar is technically vegan, but it is often processed using bone char, which is derived from ground up animal bones. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is likely not vegan.

Malt flavor

Malt flavoring is a type of flavoring that is made from malted barley. It is often used in cereals, baked goods, and some alcoholic beverages. Malt flavoring is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Salt

Salt is a mineral that is composed of sodium chloride. It is used to add flavor or as a preservative. Salt is a vegan ingredient.

Iron (ferric phosphate)

Iron is a type of mineral that is necessary for the body to create new blood cells and transport oxygen throughout the body. It can be found in many food sources, such as leafy green vegetables, beans, and fortified cereals. Iron (ferric phosphate) is a vegan ingredient.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin that is used to treat or prevent niacin deficiency. It can be found in plant-based foods, such as peanuts, avocados, and whole wheat bread. Niacinamide is a vegan ingredient.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)

Vitamin B6 is a type of vitamin that is necessary for brain development and function. It can be found in many food sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B6 can be a vegan ingredient depending on its source.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Vitamin B2 is a type of vitamin that helps break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It can be found in many food sources, such as milk, eggs, nuts, green vegetables, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B12 can be a vegan ingredient depending on its source.

Vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride)

Vitamin B1 is a type of vitamin that is necessary for preventing complications in the nervous system. It can be found in many food sources, such as pork, whole grains, and fortified cereals. Vitamin B1 can be vegan depending on its source.

Folic acid

Folic acid is a type of vitamin that helps the body form healthy red blood cells. It can be found in many food sources, such as leafy green vegetables, liver, legumes, and fortified cereals. Folic acid is a vegan ingredient depending on its source.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 helps boost immunity and heart function. It is not vegan, as it mostly comes from sheep’s wool.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a type of vitamin that is necessary for the body to create new red blood cells and maintain nerve function. Vitamin B12 in fortified foods comes from microorganisms, so it is a vegan ingredient.

Why Aren’t Corn Flakes Vegan?

Kellogg’s Corn flakes aren’t vegan because they contain Vitamin D3 and refined sugar. Vitamin D3 is often sourced from lanolin, which is derived from sheep’s wool. Refined sugar is often processed using bone char, which is a filtering agent made from ground-up animal bones.

So, even though there are no overtly non-vegan ingredients in Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, this is not a vegan cereal. There are many other vegan cereals on the market that don’t use these ingredients, so be sure to check the labels before you buy.