Everyone’s favourite breakfast cereal, Fruity Pebbles, is a fruit-flavored version of rice krispies. But is it safe for everyone, even vegans, to consume it?
Even though we have a tendency to think of cereal as being vegan, it is very typical for manufacturers to utilise additives that are produced from animals in cereals.
Are Fruity Pebbles vegan? Due to the fact that they contain vitamin D3, which is obtained from wool from sheep, Fruity Pebbles are not suitable for vegans. In addition, Fruity Pebbles include sugar, natural flavours, and artificial colours, all of which may not be suitable for vegans.
Keep reading if you want to find out what the Fruity Pebbles cereal is comprised of and which elements make it inappropriate for vegans to eat. In the event that the fact that your favourite cereal is not vegan makes you feel down, we have also provided you with a few vegan alternatives to Fruity Pebbles.
What Exactly Is It That Fruity Pebbles Are?
Rice cereal in the form of colourful and crunchy Fruity Pebbles is a popular choice for both children and adults. Since the beginning of the 1980s, it has been available for purchase.
The cereal was only available in orange, red, and yellow when it was first manufactured. Pebbles of various colours, including pink, blue, and purple, were added throughout the course of time.
Fruity Pebbles are currently available in a variety of tastes, such as the original Fruity Pebbles, Magic Fruity Pebbles, and Marshmallow Fruity Pebbles, among others.
The original taste of Fruity Pebbles is still one of the most well-liked breakfast cereals in the United States, but the cocoa flavour of Cocoa Pebbles, which does not include any fruit, is also very popular.
What Kind of Ingredients Go Into Making Fruity Pebbles?
Because of the name of the product, you may assume that Fruity Pebbles include some kind of fruit; however, this is not the case; Fruity Pebbles do not include any fruit. Sugar is the source of the deliciously sweet taste, while natural and artificial additives are responsible for the vivid colours.
When it comes to breakfast cereals, the fact that Fruity Pebbles have a very lengthy list of ingredients is not the finest quality to possess.
Vegans find it difficult to shop at stores that have lengthy ingredient lists with a lot of unfamiliar terms since they don’t know what’s in the product or how it’s created! In addition, the company warns that the formulas of the medication may undergo periodic changes.
If you look at the ingredient list and the nutrition data on the back of the box of Fruity Pebbles, you will see that there have been some little adjustments made.
The following is a list of the primary components that Fruity Pebbles consist of:
- Rice. Various grains are commonly used in the production of cereal. Rice is the primary ingredient of Fruity Pebbles, and rice cereals are not the healthiest kind of cereal since they include a lot of carbs.
- Sugar. Fruity Pebbles also include sugar, which is the second component of the cereal. It is in your best interest to steer clear of foods and drinks that contain a lot of sugar.
- Canola Oil. It is not uncommon for cereals to include vegetable oils that have undergone a significant amount of processing. Canola oil is what makes up the majority of Fruity Pebbles.
- Natural And Artificial Flavors. Because the company does not provide any information on the natural and artificial flavours it employs, it is difficult to determine whether or not they are obtained from animals.
- Colors that are both natural and artificial. Fruity Pebbles are coloured with a variety of synthetic hues, including Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Blue 2. Fruity Pebbles are coloured using a natural colouring additive called turmeric oleoresin, which may be found in the spice turmeric.
- Preservatives. Because they are preserved using BHT and BHA, Fruity Pebbles have a very long shelf life. This is one of the primary reasons why they are so popular.
- Vitamins and minerals that have been added. Fruity Pebbles have a variety of vitamins and minerals added to them, including vitamins B3, B6, B1, B2, B12, and D, in addition to minerals like zinc and iron.
Are there any vegan options for Fruity Pebbles?
If you glance at the ingredient list for Fruity Pebbles, you could get the impression that they are vegan. We are sorry to be the ones to break the news to you, but Fruity Pebbles do not include any animal products.
- Vitamin D3. The primary reason why Fruity Pebbles are not good for vegans is because they contain an additional vitamin. Lanolin, a waxy substance that is derived from sheep’s wool, is the source of vitamin D that is synthesised in a lab.
- Sugar. Sugar is an element that ethical vegans have mixed feelings about. Ethical vegans, as opposed to dietary vegans, do not eat any foods that have been produced through the use of any method that exploits animals in any way.
- Sugar cane and sugar beets are the two plants that are most often used to produce sugar. There are differences in the way sugarcane sugar and beet sugar are manufactured, despite the fact that sugar obtained from these two sources appears and tastes identical.
- Because it does not include any animal products in its processing, sugar made from beets may be used by vegans. On the other hand, cane sugar is often refined using bone char. The bones of cattle are burned to produce a black, granular substance known as bone char.
- Although not all cane sugar factories refine their sugar using this process, a significant number of them do. The firm that makes Fruity Pebbles collaborates with a variety of different sugar distributors. Consider this reality in addition to your commitment to veganism based on ethical principles.
- Red 40. Red 40 is an artificial hue that is derived from petroleum. Red 40 does not include any components derived from animals; nonetheless, it is sometimes tested on animals, which prevents many people from adhering to a vegan lifestyle.
- Additionally, the artificial colours Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 that are used in Fruity Pebbles are subjected to regular testing on animals, just like the rest of the colours.
- Natural Flavors. Another warning sign for vegans is this particular word. Natural flavours are a catch-all word that may apply to a variety of different tastes, including those that are produced from animal products. If it does not specify on the packaging that the product is vegan, there is a good likelihood that the natural flavours do not comply with vegan standards.
Do Fruity Pebbles Include Gelatin in Their Ingredients?
Because it is derived from animal protein, most often from cows and pigs, the presence of gelatin in many foods renders them unacceptable for consumption not just by vegans but also by vegetarians. Gelatin is made by reducing the skins and bones of these animals via a boiling process.
Gelatin is an emulsifier that has no taste of its own. It is added to a wide variety of items, including cereals, in order to enhance the texture of such products.
The good news is that Fruity Pebbles do not have any gelatin in their ingredients. Even though Fruity Pebbles do not meet the criteria for veganism, they are nevertheless suitable for consumption by those who are attempting to limit their gelatin intake.
Are you able to benefit from eating Fruity Pebbles?
A wonderful way to get your day started is by having some Fruity Pebbles with some milk. However, if you’re looking for a healthy option for breakfast, these cereals aren’t the best choice.
Rice is the primary component that makes up Fruity Pebbles. Rice is a grain that is not harmful to your health, but it is also not a particularly nutritious grain. Rice has a lot of carbohydrates but not a lot of the nutrients that offer sustained energy.
There are 12 grammes of added sugars and 190 grammes of salt in a serving of Fruity Pebbles that is equal to one cup. Fruity Pebbles do have some artificial vitamins and minerals added to them, but they also include preservatives and additives that are manufactured in a lab.
If you aren’t vegan but are a huge fan of Fruity Pebbles, you shouldn’t feel guilty about indulging in a bowl every once in a while since it won’t do you any harm. Just don’t overdo it.
Fruity Pebbles Substitutes That Aren’t Made With Animal Products
If you just found out that your favourite cereal is not vegan, try not to let your disappointment show. The market for breakfast cereal is quite competitive, and consumers have a wide variety of brands and varieties from which to choose.
Here are some of our top picks for cruelty-free, plant-based alternatives to Fruity Pebbles!
1. Weetabix Organic Cereal Made with Whole Grains
Weetabix whole grain cereals are often considered to be among the healthiest options for breakfast cereals. The list of components is condensed and straightforward, both of which are desirable qualities.
This breakfast cereal is made with organic cane sugar, organic sea salt, organic barley malt extract, and organic whole wheat. Unrefined sugar is what you get when you buy organic cane sugar. As a result, there is no possibility that it will be treated with any items derived from animals.
Weetabix cereal, in contrast to other types of breakfast cereal, is sold in the shape of wheat biscuits. However, after milk has been poured over them, they become just as simple to consume.
There are just 180 calories and 2 grammes of added sugars in a serving size of Weetabix, which is three wheat biscuits. In addition to this, Weetabix is an excellent source of fibre, calcium, and a variety of other minerals.
2. Organic Cinnamon Crunch Cereal Produced by Cascadian Farm
Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal is an excellent choice for those who like a particularly crunchy texture in their cereal.
This breakfast cereal with a cinnamon taste has a short list of ingredients: organic whole-grain wheat, rice flour, sunflower oil, oat fibre, and organic cane sugar are the components that go into its production.
There are just 140 calories in a serving size of one cup of the organic cinnamon crunch cereal made by Cascadian Farm. Because this cereal does not include a particularly high concentration of vitamins and minerals, adding a bowl of fruit to your breakfast of this cereal will make it more balanced and complete.
Cereal produced by Cascadian Farm is 100 percent organic, GMO-free, and favourable to the climate pledge. You may choose from a variety of tastes, and there is even a gluten-free alternative available.
3. The Optimum Powder Variety of Nature’s Path Organic Cereal
Try out this Nature’s Path Optimum Powder Organic Cereal if you’re looking for a vegan and healthy alternative to fruity cereals like Fruity Pebbles that also tastes good. The ingredients for this one are blueberries, cinnamon, and ground flax seed.
The organic cereal sold by Nature’s Path has a variety of nutritious components, including whole wheat meal, wheat bran, barley malt extract, soy flour, and soy fibre, amongst others.
This wheat cereal has 120 calories, 4 grammes of fibre, and 5 grammes of sugar in each serving size of 30 grammes. In addition to fibre and potassium, this cereal is made with whole wheat.
The organic cereal known as Nature’s Path is available in a variety of tastes, such as Maple Pecan Crunch, Raisin Bran, Red Berry Crunch, Pumpkin Raisin Crunch, and many more.