Are Fruit Loops Vegan?

Are Fruit Loops vegan? The answer to this question depends on the specific type of Fruit Loops you are asking about. The original Fruit Loops cereal, which is made by Kellogg’s, contains several animal-derived ingredients and is not considered vegan.

What Are Fruit Loops Made Of?

Fruit Loops cereal is made from a special blend of simple and delicious ingredients! The main ingredient lists are corn, sugar, oat flour, modified wheat starch, and rice flour.

The cereal contains refined white sugar (filtered using bone char) and vitamin D3 despite having primarily natural components (which are typically derived from animal hairs).

Questionable Ingredients In Fruit Loops

Corn Flour Blend

Corn Flour Blend is a common ingredient found in Fruit Loops. It is made from a combination of corn flour, wheat flour, and oat flour.

While this blend does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, it may contain traces of gluten which could be problematic for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, the corn used in the blend may be genetically modified (GMO).

Wheat Flour

One of the leading ingredients found in Fruit Loops is wheat flour making them NOT gluten free. It is commonly used in cereals, as it helps to form a light texture and provides a slight sweetness. Although it appears harmless, wheat flour can be seen as a controversial ingredient due to the fact that it is derived from whole grains.

Sugar

Fruit Loops certainly have their share of sugar in the mix. That’s why it’s one of the most popular breakfast cereals for kids. After all, what kid doesn’t love a sweet treat like this?

However, you should know that sugar is not the only questionable ingredient in Fruit Loops. There are other unhealthy additions, such as high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavorings.

Modified Food Starch

Modified food starch is a type of starch derived from corn, potatoes, tapioca, or wheat and is modified through chemical treatments to give it certain desirable properties.

Whole Grain Oat Flour

This kind of flour is incredibly nutritious; it’s packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that provide energy and fuel for your body. It also contains protein, making it a great choice for vegans looking to get their daily recommended intake.

Vegetable Oil

The key ingredient in Fruit Loops lies in vegetable oil. While many assume that vegetable oil means it is vegan, there are actually different types of oil that may be used.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a non-vegan ingredient found in many foods, including the beloved breakfast cereal, Fruit Loops. This additive, derived from hydrolyzed cornstarch or potato starch, is usually considered vegan-friendly as it’s derived from plant sources and doesn’t require the use of animal byproducts.

Oat Fiber

When it comes to the question of whether Fruit Loops is vegan, one of the primary components of Fruit Loops is oat fiber. This ingredient is derived from oats and is an essential part of the cereal.

Oats not only add a tremendous amount of flavor to the cereal, but they also provide nutrition such as dietary fiber, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. Not only that, oat fiber has been found to have health benefits like reducing cholesterol in the body and aiding in digestion.

Salt

Fruit Loops are surprisingly vegan, but one thing to note is that they contain salt. As with most food products on the market today, there is added salt in Fruit Loops for flavor enrichment. What makes Fruit Loops stand out is that their salt content is far lower than many other breakfast bowls of cereal and snacks. 

Natural Flavors

When it comes to Fruit Loops, one of the main distinguishing factors as to whether they are vegan or not lies in the ‘natural flavors’ that are used in their manufacture.

While Fruit Loops don’t inherently contain animal products, they may use animal-derived substances as part of their natural flavor and/or food colorings. 

Soluble Corn Fiber

Fruit Loops have Soluble Corn Fiber as an ingredient. This type of fiber is created when glucose, starch, and other components are loosed from cornstarch.

It’s a soluble dietary fiber that is light and has great water-binding properties. Soluble corn fiber is also known for its good texture, as it helps to give Fruit Loops a slightly crunchy texture.

Blend Of Vitamins & Minerals

Fruit Loops Contain a Blend of Vitamins & Minerals. With every bowl of Fruit Loops, you can be sure that you are getting the nutritional benefits of key vitamins and minerals. It is fortified with 8 essential vitamins and minerals–including vitamin B1, vitamin B2,  vitamin B6, and zinc–that your body needs in order to function optimally.

Artificial Food Coloring

These synthetic dyes have been linked to several health problems such as allergies, headaches, and behavioral problems in children. What’s more, animal testing is still a common practice for these artificial colorings so vegans may want to think twice about consuming them.

Why Isn’t Vitamin D Vegan?

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient, essential for human health and well-being. Unfortunately, not all sources are vegan-friendly – which has left many people wondering why that is.

The answer lies in the fact that some vitamin D sources come from animal products like fish oil or lanolin, which are derived from sheep’s wool or fish. Although these are both good sources of vitamin D, they’re not considered vegan as they come from animal byproducts.

Why Can’t Sugar Be Vegan?

Since veganism is concerned with protecting living creatures, non-vegan processing methods for sugar cannot be considered acceptable in vegan diets and lifestyles. There are many types of sugar that are not processed with bone char, however, it is important to check the label before purchasing any type of sweetener to ensure that it is indeed vegan.

Sometimes unrefined and refined sugars may also not be vegan friendly because they are sometimes produced from animal products such as beeswax or honey, so it’s also necessary to check for these natural ingredients as well.

Why Should You Avoid Artificial Colors?

Artificial colors have been part of the food industry for many years, but people are starting to become more aware of the potential dangers they present. Artificial colors are made using chemical dyes which can be harmful to the body and should be avoided when possible.

Studies have shown that in children and adults alike, artificial colors can cause skin irritations, headaches, and allergic reactions. There is also evidence to suggest that consuming large amounts of artificial colors over long periods of time may lead to serious illnesses such as cancer or neurological damage.

How Is Lanolin Produced?

Lanolin is produced through a process of heating and cooling that allows the fats and oils in the wool to bond together. The wool is first extracted from the sheep’s coat and then cleaned before it is treated with an alkaline solution which breaks down the dirt, oil, and other impurities found in it.

After this step, the wool is passed through various machines, where it is pressed and heated at specific temperatures.

Once this process has been completed, the liquid lanolin is separated from the wool remnants by centrifugation. This separates out any unwanted particles such as soap or dirt which may have been left behind during cleaning.

Once it has all been extracted, the lanolin can be stored for use in a variety of products, typically for use as a moisturizing agent or for medicine. Lanolin can also be used as an ingredient in cosmetics products including shampoos, body lotions, and lip balms due to its properties as a highly effective emollient.

Are Kellogg’s Fruit Loops Vegan-Friend?

The question of whether or not Kellogg’s Fruit Loops is vegan-friendly has been a topic of debate among vegans and non-vegans alike. When it comes to their ingredient labels, the cereal contains no known obvious animal ingredients, so some believe it can be classified as vegan-friendly.

However, upon closer inspection, we find that the cereal does contain several artificial food colorings – some of which have been tested on animals – thus making it a moot point for those leading a strict vegan lifestyle.

While these artificial colorings are not always proven to be sourced from animal testing, the risk is still there.

As such, those following a vegan diet who wish to definitely avoid animal products in any form – even very small amounts – including all varieties of food coloring and additives, should consider avoiding this cereal.