Figuring out whether Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut truffles are vegan can be a bit tough.
Makers of fine candy often mask the actual ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural colors and flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they never include how those ingredients were made.
To make sure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Ferrero Rocher.
Here’s what I found.
Is Ferrero Rocher Vegan?
No. Ferrero Rocher is not vegan.
Ferrero Rocher is one of the most sought-after chocolate brands. The company is known for its luxury chocolates and confectioneries, as well as Nutella nut butter and Tic Tacs.
Unfortunately, Ferrero Rocher chocolates are made with milk chocolate, an ingredient that is not vegan. The chocolate also contains butter oil and whey.
Additionally, Ferrero Rocher products contain refined sugar. Sugar is a questionable ingredient in the vegan community because it is a product that may be processed with animal bone char.
Bone char is a black porous substance that is made from the bones of animals. It is widely used in the US sugar industry to filter and whiten sugar. While Ferrero Rocher is an Italian company, and food manufacturers in the EU are less likely to use bone char, Ferrero has several factories in North America and the company makes no claim to avoid the use of sugars processed with bone char. So vegans who have pledged to go refined-sugar free should avoid Ferrero Rocher.
With several non-vegan ingredients, it’s safe to say that Ferrero Rocher is not vegan.
Is Ferrero Rocher Cruelty Free?
Yes! Ferrero Rocher is cruelty free.
Ferrero Rocher chocolates are not tested on animals at any point in their production, nor do they contain ingredients that are routinely tested on animals, such as artificial colors.
Animal testing is an outdated and cruel practice that only leaves innocent animals injured, maimed, and dead. There are many alternative methods of testing that don’t involve animals and are just as effective.
Fortunately, many companies are turning away from this practice and are using more ethical methods of testing their products.
What Is Ferrero Rocher Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Ferrero Rocher chocolate hazelnut truffles:
- Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, skim milk powder, butter oil, soy lecithin as emulsifier, vanillin: an artificial flavor)
- Hazelnuts
- Sugar
- Palm oil
- Wheat flour
- Whey
- Low-fat cocoa powder
- Soy lecithin as an emulsifier
- Sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent
- Salt
- Vanillin: an artificial flavor
Let’s break down each ingredient of Ferrero Rocher:
Milk chocolate
Milk chocolate is made with these ingredients: sugar, cocoa butter, cocoa mass, skim milk powder, butter oil, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and vanillin: an artificial flavor.
Sugar is a sweetener made from cane or beet sugar. Sugar in the UK and Europe is often vegan white sugar and in the US is typically processed with bone char, making it non-vegan.
Cocoa butter is the fat that is extracted from cocoa beans. It gives chocolate its smooth texture. Cocoa butter is vegan.
Cocoa mass is the dark powder that remains after cocoa butter is removed from cocoa beans. It is also known as cocoa solids. Cocoa mass is vegan.
Skimmed milk powder is a dry form of milk that contains all the nutrients of milk without water. It is not vegan.
Butter oil is a type of butter that is made from the fatty portion of milk. It is not vegan.
Soy lecithin is a substance that is extracted from soybeans and is used as an emulsifier. Soy lecithin is vegan.
Vanillin is an artificial flavor that originally comes from the vanilla bean. Vanillin is vegan friendly.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are edible nuts that come from hazel trees. They have brown skin and white flesh. Chopped hazelnuts are vegan.
Palm oil
Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil that comes from palm fruit. Palm oil is vegan.
Wheat flour
Wheat flour is a type of flour that is made from grinding wheat. Wheat flour is vegan.
Whey
Whey is a type of protein that comes from milk. It is the liquid part of milk that remains after the solid part has been removed. Whey is not vegan friendly.
Low-fat cocoa powder
Low-fat cocoa powder is a type of cocoa powder that has had some of the fat removed. Low-fat cocoa powder is vegan.
Sodium bicarbonate as a leavening agent
Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is a white powder that is used as a leavening agent. Sodium bicarbonate is vegan.
Salt
Salt is a mineral that is used to add flavor or as a preservative. Salt is vegan.
Why Isn’t Ferrero Rocher Vegan?
Traditional Ferrero Rocher truffles with roasted hazelnuts and a chocolate coating are not vegan because they contain milk, butter oil, whey, and refined sugar. Sadly, vegans will not have the opportunity to enjoy this chocolate treat. However, there are many other vegan-friendly options on the market that are just as delicious!
Are Ferrero Raffaello Chocolate Truffles Vegan?
No. Ferrero Raffaello Chocolate Truffles contain milk and whey powder.
This chocolate truffle is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Ferrero Rondnoir Chocolate Truffles Vegan?
No. Ferrero Rondnoir Chocolate Truffles contain milk, whey powder, and whey proteins.
This chocolate truffle is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is the Ferrero Rocher Original Chocolate Bar Vegan?
No. Ferrero Rocher’s Original Chocolate Bar contains milk, butter, and whey powder.
This hazelnut chocolate bar is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is the Ferrero Rocher Dark Chocolate With Hazelnut Bar Vegan?
No. Ferrero Rocher Dark Chocolate Bar contains whey powder and butter.
This hazelnut chocolate bar is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is the Ferrero Rocher White Chocolate Bar With Hazelnut Vegan?
No. Ferrero Rocher’s White Chocolate Bar With Hazelnut contains milk, whey powder, and butter.
This chocolate hazelnut bar is not safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Ferrero Rocher
If you’re craving traditional Ferrero Rocher-style chocolate hazelnut but want to stick to a vegan lifestyle, don’t worry! There are plenty of delicious vegan chocolate alternatives on the market. Here are some of my favorites:
- Hu Crunchy Mint Dark Chocolate Bars
- Funtasty Dark Chocolate Bar
- NuGo Slim Dark Chocolate Espresso
- Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Vego Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Bar
Or, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try making your own vegan homemade Ferrero Rocher, check out these recipes for a vegan version!
- 2-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Truffles by Minimalist Baker
- Vegan Truffles by Nora Cooks
- Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles by Rhian Recipes
With these vegan-friendly options, you’ll be able to satisfy your chocolate cravings without harming any animals in the process! You don’t have to sacrifice your morals for a delicious treat!
With a few ingredients such as chopped hazelnuts, almond butter or hazelnut butter, melted chocolate, and maple syrup, you can easily make your own vegan Ferrero Rocher at home!
Final Words
So, there you have it! Ferrero Rocher is not vegan. However, there are many delicious vegan-friendly alternatives on the market that are just as good (if not better!) So, next time you’re in the mood for some chocolate, be sure to check out one of these options! You won’t be disappointed! Just remember, vegans should always double-check the ingredient list since recipes frequently change.