Are Fruity Pebbles Vegan?
Fruity Pebbles is a colorful and crispy rice cereal that everyone loves. But can everyone eat it, including vegans?
While we tend to think of cereal as being vegan, it is a common practice for manufacturers to use animal-derived ingredients in cereals.
Are Fruity Pebbles vegan? Fruity Pebbles are not vegan as they contain vitamin D3, which is derived from sheep’s wool. Fruity Pebbles also contain sugar, natural flavors, and artificial colors that may not be vegan.
Continue reading to learn what Fruity Pebbles are made of and which ingredients make them unsuitable for vegans. We have also included some vegan alternatives for Fruity Pebbles in case it makes you sad that your favorite cereal isn’t vegan.
What Are Fruity Pebbles?
Fruity Pebbles are colorful and crispy rice cereal eaten by kids and adults. It has been on the market since the early 1980s.
Originally, the cereal had only three colors: orange, red, and yellow. Purple, pink, and blue pebbles were added through the years.
Fruity Pebbles now come in a few different flavors, including the classic Fruity Pebbles, Magic Fruity Pebbles, and Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles.
The original Fruity Pebbles flavor remains of the most popular cereals in the United States, but the non-fruity flavor of Cocoa Pebbles is also very popular!
What Are Fruity Pebbles Made Of?
You would think that Fruity Pebbles contain some type of fruit based on the name — sadly, there is no fruit in Fruity Pebbles. The colors come from natural and artificial additives and the sweet flavor comes from sugar.
The ingredient list of Fruity Pebbles is rather long, which is not the best thing when it comes to morning cereals.
Long ingredient lists with lots of complicated words are intimidating for vegans, as you never know what’s in there or how it’s made! Plus as the manufacturer states, the product formulations may change occasionally.
You can learn about these minor changes by inspecting the ingredient list and nutrition facts on the box of Fruity Pebbles.
Here are the main ingredients Fruity Pebbles contain:
- Rice. Cereal is typically made of different grains. Fruity Pebbles are made of rice — rice cereals are not the healthiest type of cereal as they are high in carbohydrates.
- Sugar. Sugar is the second ingredient in Fruity Pebbles. It is best to avoid products with high sugar content.
- Canola Oil. It is common for cereals to contain highly processed vegetable oils. In the case of Fruity Pebbles, it’s canola oil.
- Natural And Artificial Flavors. The brand doesn’t specify what natural and artificial flavors it uses, which makes it impossible to know if they are animal-derived.
- Natural And Artificial Colors. Fruity Pebbles contain such artificial colors as Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Blue 2. Turmeric Oleoresin is a natural coloring agent used in the production of Fruity Pebbles.
- Preservatives. Fruity Pebbles contain BHT and BHA preservatives, which are some of the main reasons they have such a long shelf life.
- Added Vitamins And Minerals. Fruity Pebbles contain a range of added vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B3, B6, B1, B2, B12, and D, as well as minerals such as zinc and iron.
So, Are Fruity Pebbles Vegan?
You might think that Fruity Pebbles are vegan just by taking a look at the ingredient list — we are sorry to disappoint you, but Fruity Pebbles are not vegan.
- Vitamin D3. This added vitamin is the main reason why Fruity Pebbles are not suitable for vegans. Synthetic vitamin D comes from lanolin, which is a waxy substance extracted from sheep’s wool.
- Sugar. Sugar is a questionable ingredient for ethical vegans. Unlike dietary vegans, ethical vegans try not to consume foods obtained through any form of animal exploitation.
- Sugar is typically derived from either sugarcane or sugar beets. While sugar derived from these two sources looks and tastes the same, there are manufacturing differences between sugarcane sugar and beet sugar.
- Beet sugar is vegan as no animal ingredients are used to process beet sugar. Cane sugar, however, is often refined using bone char. Bone char is a black granular material derived from the bones of cattle.
- While not all cane sugar manufacturers use this method to refine their sugar, many do. The company manufacturing Fruity Pebbles works with numerous sugar suppliers. If you are all about ethical veganism, consider this fact too.
- Red 40. Red 40 is a petroleum-based artificial color. While it is not made from animal-based products, Red 40 is tested on animals from time to time, which is a dealbreaker for many vegans.
- Other artificial colors used in Fruity Pebbles, including Yellow 5 and 6, are also periodically tested on animals.
- Other artificial colors used in Fruity Pebbles, including Yellow 5 and 6, are also periodically tested on animals.
- Natural Flavors. This term is another red flag for vegans. Natural flavors is an umbrella term that may refer to flavors derived from animal products. If it is not stated on the product that it is vegan, the chances are high that the natural flavors are not vegan.
Do Fruity Pebbles Contain Gelatin?
Gelatin is the ingredient that makes many foods unsuitable for not only vegans, but also vegetarians, as it is made from animal protein, mostly cows and pigs. The hides and bones of these animals are boiled down to produce gelatin.
Gelatin is a flavorless emulsifier. It is added to various products to improve their texture, including cereals.
The good news is, Fruity Pebbles don’t contain gelatin. So while Fruity Pebbles still are not vegan, at least they can be enjoyed by people who are trying to avoid gelatin!
Are Fruity Pebbles Good For You?
Fruity Pebbles with milk are a fun way to start your day! However, these cereals are not the healthiest thing you can eat for breakfast.
The main ingredient in Fruity Pebbles is rice. Rice is not bad for you, but it’s not a very nutritious grain either. Rice is high in carbs and low in nutrients that provide lasting energy.
A one-cup serving of Fruity Pebbles contains 12 grams of added sugars and 190 grams of sodium. While Fruity Pebbles do contain some added vitamins and minerals, they also contain artificial additives and preservatives.
If you are not vegan and absolutely love Fruity Pebbles, you can have a bowl every now and then — it certainly won’t hurt you. Just don’t overdo it.
Vegan Alternatives To Fruity Pebbles
Don’t be sad if you have just found out that your favorite cereal is not vegan. The morning cereal market is diverse and you have an array of options to choose from.
Here are some of our favorite vegan alternatives to Fruity Pebbles!
1. Weetabix Organic Whole Grain Cereal
Weetabix whole grain cereals are one of the healthiest cereals you can eat. The ingredient list is simple and short, which is always good.
This cereal contains organic whole wheat, organic barley malt extract, sea salt, and organic cane sugar. Organic cane sugar is unrefined sugar. Thus, there is no chance for it to be treated with any animal-based products.
Unlike regular cereal, Weetabix cereal comes in the form of wheat biscuits. But they are just as easy to eat once you pour milk over them.
A serving size of Weetabix, which is three wheat biscuits, contains only 180 calories and 2 grams of added sugars. Weetabix is also a source of fiber, calcium, and other minerals.
2. Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch Cereal
Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal is good for those who like their cereal to be extra crunchy.
This cinnamon-flavored cereal has a concise list of ingredients — it is made of organic whole-grain wheat, rice flour, sunflower oil, oat fiber, and organic cane sugar.
A one-cup serving of Cascadian Farm Organic Cinnamon Crunch Cereal contains only 140 calories. This cereal is not particularly high in vitamins and minerals, so eat a bowl of fruits along with this cereal for a healthy and wholesome breakfast.
Cascadian Farm cereal is fully organic, climate pledge friendly, and GMO-free. It comes in different flavors and has a gluten-free option too.
3. Nature’s Path Optimum Powder Organic Cereal
If you want a fruity alternative to Fruity Pebbles that is vegan and healthy, try this Nature’s Path Optimum Powder Organic Cereal. This one is made with blueberries, cinnamon, and flax seeds.
Nature’s Path organic cereal is made of such ingredients as whole wheat meal, wheat bran, barley malt extract, soy flour, soy fiber, etc.
A 30-gram serving of this wheat cereal contains 120 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 5 grams of sugar. This whole wheat cereal also contains fiber and potassium.
Nature’s Path Organic Cereal comes in different flavors, including Maple Pecan Crunch, Raisin Bran, Red Berry Crunch, Pumpkin Raisin Crunch, etc.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve learned all about Fruity Pebbles and why they aren’t vegan, plus some alternatives, here are some additional questions we thought you might have!
Are Fruity Pebbles gluten-free?
Another popular question is if Fruity Pebbles are gluten-free — and the answer is yes! Being a rice cereal, Fruity Pebbles don’t have any ingredients that may contain gluten.
Are Cocoa Pebbles vegan?
Similar to Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Pebbles are not vegan either. They also contain vitamin D3, which doesn’t make them a good choice for vegans.
However, Cocoa Pebbles are dairy-free. You can continue eating them if you have lactose intolerance.
Are Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles vegan?
Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles are also not vegan. Similar to classic Fruity Pebbles, Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles also contain added vitamin D3.
