Are Froot Loops Vegan and Cruelty-Free? The Unpleasant Truth

June 16, 2023

Trying to work out if Froot Loops are vegan friendly can be challenging.

The makers of breakfast cereals often mask their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to tell if they’re vegan or not.

To ensure that you are only eating food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Froot Loops.

Here’s what I found out.

Are Froot Loops Vegan?

No. Froot Loops are not vegan.

Froot Loops are a children’s cereal made by Kellogg’s. The cereal consists of fruity-flavored circles of corn, wheat, and oats coated with a brightly colored sugary coating.

Sadly, this cereal is not suitable for vegans. The main non-vegan ingredient in Froot Loops is refined sugar. Sugar is naturally vegan, but it becomes non-vegan when it is processed using animal bone char, which is quite common among sugar brands in the United States.

Bone char is a charcoal filter made from the bones of cows, pigs, and horses. Unless the sugar in the product is labeled “raw,” “organic,” or “unrefined,” it is probably not vegan.

Then there is the ingredient vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is usually derived from animals, specifically sheep’s wool.

These two ingredients make Froot Loops non-vegan. So, if you’re looking for some cereal to munch on, Froot Loops is not it.

Are Froot Loops Cruelty-Free?

No. Froot Loops are not cruelty-free.

Froot Loops are not tested on animals at any point in their production, but they contain artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Yellow 6), all of which are routinely tested on animals.

Animal testing is an inhumane and outdated practice that should be stopped. It only leaves innocent animals disfigured, sick, or dead. There are many alternatives to animal testing that are just as effective so food brands no longer have an excuse to test on animals.

What Are Froot Loops Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Froot Loops:

  • Corn flour blend (whole grain yellow corn flour, degerminated yellow corn flour)
  • Sugar
  • Wheat flour
  • Whole grain oat flour
  • Modified food starch
  • Vegetable oil (hydrogenated coconut, soybean, and/or cottonseed)
  • Oat fiber
  • Maltodextrin
  • Salt
  • Soluble corn fiber
  • Natural flavor
  • Red 40
  • Yellow 5
  • Blue 1
  • Yellow 6
  • BHT for freshness
  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  • Reduced iron
  • 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 Froot Loops:

Corn flour blend

Corn flour blend is a mixture of whole grain yellow corn flour and degerminated yellow corn flour.

Whole grain yellow corn flour is made from the entire kernel of ground yellow corn. 

Degerminated corn flour has had the germ and bran removed. The germ is the part of the seed that germinates to grow a new plant. The bran is the outer layer of the kernel.

These ingredients in Froot Loops add texture, color, and flavor. Whole grain yellow corn flour and degerminated yellow corn flour are both vegan-friendly ingredients.

Sugar

Sugar is a sweet, crystalline substance that is obtained from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is often processed using animal bone char, which makes it non-vegan. Unless it is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is not vegan.

Wheat flour

Wheat flour is a powder made by grinding wheat. Wheat flour is used as a binding agent in Froot Loops. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Whole grain oat flour

Whole grain oat flour is made by grinding whole oats into a fine powder. It is used in Froot Loops to add texture and flavor. Whole grain oat flour is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Modified food starch

Modified food starch is a starch that has been treated with chemicals or heat to change its properties, such as its texture. It is often used as a thickening agent in foods. Modified food starch is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is a plant-based oil that is used in food for cooking or baking. Froot Loops use hydrogenated coconut, soybean, and cottonseed. Hydrogenated vegetable oils have been treated with hydrogen gas to change their physical properties.

Vegetable oils are used in Froot Loops to add texture and flavor. Hydrogenated coconut, soybean, and cottonseed oils are all vegan-friendly ingredients.

Oat fiber

Oat fiber is a type of dietary fiber that is derived from oats. It is used as a thickening agent in Froot Loops. Oat fiber is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is derived from starch. It is used as a thickening agent in Froot Loops. Maltodextrin is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Salt

Salt is a mineral composed of sodium and chloride. It is used to add flavor to food. Salt is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Soluble corn fiber

Soluble corn fiber is a type of dietary fiber that is derived from corn. It is used as a thickening agent in Froot Loops. Soluble corn fiber is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Natural flavor

Natural flavor is a term that is used to describe flavors that are derived from plants, animals, or minerals. They can be vegan or non-vegan. In the case of Froot loops, the natural flavors are likely vegan given the nature (fruity cereal) of the product.

Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6

Food coloring is a synthetic dye that is derived from petroleum. It is used to add color to food. Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6, and Blue 1 are vegan-friendly ingredients, though they are not cruelty-free.

BHT for freshness

BHT, or butylated hydroxytoluene, is a type of antioxidant that is often used to preserve food. BHT is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that are required for the body to function properly. Froot Loops contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C (ascorbic acid), reduced iron, niacinamide, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin D3, and vitamin B12. All of these are vegan-friendly except vitamin D3, which is derived from lanolin, a wax that is secreted by sheep.

Why Aren’t Froot Loops Vegan?

Froot Loops are not vegan because they contain refined sugar and vitamin D3. Refined sugar is often processed using animal bone char and Vitamin D is derived from sheep’s wool. These two ingredients make Froot Loops unsuitable for vegans.

Are Kellogg’s Froot Loops Cereal Bars Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Froot Loops Cereal Bars contain refined sugar.

This cereal bar is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Kellogg’s Froot Loops with Marshmallows Cereal Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Froot Loops with Marshmallows Cereal contains refined sugar, gelatin, and vitamin D3.

This breakfast cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Kellogg’s Froot Loops Jumbo Snax Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Froot Loops Jumbo Snax contain refined sugar and vitamin D3.

This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes contain refined sugar and vitamin D3.

This cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.

Are Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Vegan?

No. Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Original Bars contain refined sugar, milk, and gelatin.

This rice treat is not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan Alternatives to Froot Loops

If you’re looking to relive your childhood nostalgia with a vegan-friendly alternative, there are many options on the market. Here are some of my favorites:

With these delicious vegan alternatives, you won’t even miss Froot Loops! You don’t have to give up your favorite cereal just because you’re vegan.

Final Words

So, there you have it! Froot Loops are not vegan because they contain refined sugar and vitamin D3. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly breakfast cereal, there are many delicious options on the market. Check out the ones I’ve listed above. You won’t be disappointed!