Are Fruit Loops Vegan? | Are Fruit Loops Dairy Free?
I really love eating cereal for breakfast. Cereal has been my introduction to breakfast for as long as I can remember. I think it started when I was a kid, and my mom used to make different kinds of cereals every morning.
I’m not going to lie, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, but there’s something about the texture and taste of cereal that makes it so satisfying. You can mix and match your favorite flavors in the morning or make sure you have enough choices to satisfy your hunger for the day.
That said, when I turned vegan, things got a little more complicated. There were fewer options for breakfast cereals than there had been before, especially when it came to finding ones that fit my diet. I couldn’t find any fruit loops (which are my favorite) or anything that wasn’t flavored with milk or eggs.
Fruit Loops is a cereal that has been around for decades. It’s one of the most recognizable and iconic breakfast foods in America.
The popularity of the cereal came from its clever marketing strategy: run with the theme of “fruit loops,” and you’ll be sure to draw in children who are interested in fruit—and who may not be used to eating “cereals,” because they’re more likely to eat oatmeal or other cold breakfast foods.
So today, we are deep-diving into the topic of veganism and the questionable ingredients in Fruity Loops. Also, to answer specific questions like – are fruit loops dairy free? Do fruit loops have gluten?
Fruit Loops – Brand Overview
Fruit Loops is one of the most iconic in the pantheon of breakfast cereals. From its bright and bold colors to its fruity taste, this brand has always been a favorite among children and adults.
The cereal pieces are ring-shaped (hence “loops”) and come in a variety of bright colors and a blend of fruit flavors (hence “froot”, a cacography of fruit).
The Fruit Loops cereal was first introduced in 1963 by Kellogg’s as part of their famous line of snack foods. The original red, orange, yellow, green, and purple pieces were so popular with consumers that they added more flavors during the 1990s.
In 2017, a special Unicorn Froot Loops limited edition was released in the U.K. As of 2019, special limited edition Unicorn Froot Loops, Mermaid Froot Loops, and Baby Shark Fruit Loops cereals have been made available.
The Fruit Loops cereal was first introduced in 1963 by Kellogg’s as part of their famous line of snack foods. The original red, orange, yellow, green, and purple pieces were so popular with consumers that they added more flavors during the 1990s.
In 2017, a special Unicorn Froot Loops limited edition was released in the U.K. As of 2019, special limited edition Unicorn Froot Loops, Mermaid Froot Loops, and Baby Shark Fruit Loops cereals have been made available.
Fruit Loops: Non-Vegan Ingredients
1. Vitamin D3
Fruit Loops are healthy and delicious breakfast cereal, but you must know the truth about what goes into these delightful little bites of goodness! Your favorite breakfast cereal, Fruit Loops, contains Vitamin D3, a non-vegan ingredient from an animal source.
Their Vitamin D3 is obtained from lanolin, a product obtained from sheep’s wool. That’s right: those little “froot” shapes are made up of Vitamin D3, which comes from sheep’s wool. The Lanolin industry has been criticized for its cruelty to animals, as sheep suffer a lot of pain during the removal of wool.
2. Refined Sugar
One of the most common non-vegan ingredients in Fruit Loops is refined sugar. Refined sugar is a white powder made from sugar cane that has been processed to remove molasses and other impurities. The refining process can cause bone char to be used as an additive during the refining process.
Bone char is a type of carbon created from burning animal bones in a furnace, often used to whiten foods. Bone char is a byproduct of burning animal bones to make charcoal, and it’s used to filter impurities out of the sugar.
The process uses a lot of energy and produces a lot of pollution. Since bone char is used in the Fruit Loops, which comes from animal sources, it’s not considered vegan.
3. Artificial Coloring
Artificial coloring has been a part of candy for as long as we can remember. And same goes for your favorite delicious breakfast cereal, Fruit Loops. Fruit loops have artificial coloring.
But you might not know that this coloring is being tested on animals to check the potential harm. Fruit loops have the following artificial colors: Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 6.
These colors have a history of animal testing, and there is some evidence that they continue to be tested to prevent potential health risks. Fruit loops are loaded with these nasty little chemicals tested on animals. This is unnecessary cruelty, which is not acceptable to vegans.
Are Fruit Loops Dairy Free?
Dairy is found in most breakfast cereal today since it increases the protein content and adds good texture or flavor to cereal. But fruit loops do not contain any dairy. So anyone who is lactose intolerant can have fruit loops, but sadly vegans cannot consume fruit loops because even if it is dairy free, there are other ingredients that are made from animals.
Fruit Loops Flavors
1. Original Fruit Loops Cereals
Original Fruit Loops Cereals is a non-vegan product because it contains sugar, vitamin D3, and artificial colors. The sugar is derived from cane sugar and corn syrup.
The refining process can cause bone char to be used as an additive during the refining process. Bone char is a byproduct of burning animal bones, which makes sugar a non-vegan ingredient.
Original Fruit Loops also contain vitamin D3 derived from lanolin, which is a product obtained from sheep’s wool.
Because lanolin is obtained through the grazing of sheep, this ingredient is derived from animal products or animal tissues. Artificial colors are used as ingredients in Original Fruit Loops. These colors have a history of animal testing and possible harm to human health.
2. Fruit Loops With Marshmallows
Froot Loops with Marshmallows is not vegan because it contains animal products and is made with non-vegan ingredients.
This product contains sugar, vitamin D3, artificial colors, and marshmallows. These non-vegan ingredients have been tested on animals at least once in their history.
The ingredients that make up this cereal include lanolin, which is a byproduct of sheep’s wool. It also contains sugar which is again a non-vegan ingredient made by bone char, which is a byproduct of burning animal bones. Artificial colors have been tested on animals before as well.
The FDA has found that these colors could cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to the chemicals used for coloring purposes.
Marshmallows are made from animal fat and gelatin, both of which come from animals. Gelatin is sourced from pigs, cows, and fish—so it’s not vegan either!
Are Fruit Loops Healthy?
Fruit loops are not a very healthy breakfast cereal to opt for since 1 serving contains 12 grams of sugar. Besides sugar, it also contains artificial colors, flavors, and partially hydrogenated oils, which are the source of trans fat. If you keep having multiple servings of fruit loops, it can lead to diabetes, and obesity and will also increase your cholesterol levels which will lead to heart problems
Fruit Loops Alternatives (Vegan)
1. Barbara’s Puffins Peanut Butter Cereal
Barbara’s Puffins are an excellent replacement for Lucky Charm as well as Captain Crunch cereal (check vegan status). These nutritious pieces of mini-cereal made from gluten-free oats, hazelnuts, almonds, and coconut taste just like the cereal your parents used to make when you were a kid.
But instead of being made with artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup, Barbara’s Puffins are made with natural ingredients and only 5 grams of sugar per serving.
The result is a sweet, rich, ultra-peanutty flavor baked into each piece of cereal. So if your kid wants to eat something crunchy that tastes like peanut butter (and maybe even looks like it), this is the right choice!
The word vegan appears on the box of this kid-friendly plant-based cereal—which we often appreciate—so we know it’s safe for vegans and other vegetarians too!
2. Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch Cereal is the perfect, wholesome snack to fuel your day. The organic whole grain squares are lightly sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar to give you a burst of flavor and crunch, while the 3 grams of fiber per serving help you feel satisfied longer.
This certified organic cinnamon cereal contains 15 grams of whole grain and 3 grams of fiber per serving and is free of genetically modified organisms and synthetic pesticides. It’s also free of artificial colors and flavors, so you can enjoy it without worrying about whether it’s safe for your family to eat.
Cascadian Farm believes in using natural, organic ingredients that Mother Nature has perfected. As a result, this popular choice among the vegan community is a great way to get your daily dose of whole grains without sacrificing taste or nuts.
3. Three Wishes Gluten-Free Vegan Breakfast Cereal
Start your day off right with Three Wishes Cereal, which is gluten and grain-free. It tastes exactly like the breakfast cereal you used to eat as a kid but with far less sugar. It also has a distinct fruity flavor.
Three Wishes’ delicious cereals are high in protein, low in sugar, and made with healthier ingredients – only nutrient-rich, plant-based ingredients! With only 3g of sugar, this is an excellent breakfast or snack option. It is non-GMO Project verified, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free and makes an excellent breakfast or snack.
4. Forager Project Grain & Gluten-Free Vegan Breakfast Cereal
Forager Project’s fruity cereal, made with natural ingredients like navy beans, pea protein (check complete protein status), and cassava root, has a great crunch, tons of nutrients, and a nice dose of digestion-boosting fiber.
This crunchy grain-free cereal is lightly sweetened to satisfy your sweet tooth while providing energy.
Forager Project Grain & Gluten-Free Vegan Breakfast Cereal cereal is USDA organic and made with wholesome, natural ingredients. The cereal packet contains no gluten ingredients and is also vegan-certified.
5. Post Grape-Nuts Non-GMO Breakfast Cereal
Grape-Nuts breakfast cereal was invented by C.W. Post in 1897. The cereal is classic and versatile, and it’s been a part of American history for over 100 years.
Grape-Nuts have been described as “a good source of fiber,” “a satisfying crunch,” and “a great snack.” The 5g of sugar is inherent in the ingredients listed, as all carbohydrates contain natural sugars.
Grape-Nuts contain no added sugars, and there are no such ingredients in Post Grape-Nuts Non-GMO Breakfast Cereal that seem problematic for the vegan community. This yummy breakfast cereal makes a perfect option for vegans!
Final Thoughts
The fact that fruity loops contain certain non-vegan ingredients makes them difficult for vegans to consume. However, some fruit loops alternative listed above are just few examples of vegan breakfast cereals which are delicious and nutritious.
We know now that vitamin D3 is one of the main ingredients in fruity loops and some other questionable ingredients that many vegans would never consider eating. As vegans, we want to be able to eat tasty and nutritious foods without compromising our ethics.
However, finding the right products that deliver on both fronts is not always easy. The best way to avoid this problem is by making sure you know what you’re buying before buying it.
You should look for a product made in a plant-based facility that does not contain any animal products or byproducts. We have reviewed some cereals brands such as cinnamon toast crunch,rice krispies,cheerios,fruity pebbles, and many more regarding their vegan status.
