There Are 2 Kellogg's Cereals You Want To Avoid Buying If You're Vegan Or Vegetarian

Non-vegan ingredients to look out for in cereal

There are still many vegan cereals available that can provide a nutritious breakfast, but finding them may require some time and effort. Boxes labeled as vegan or vegetarian are much easier to identify, but when examining cereals without these labels, there are several key non-vegan ingredients to watch for. The primary animal-derived ingredients to be cautious of in cereals include honey, whey, milk, milk powder, lactose, yogurt, gelatin, and vitamin D.

Vitamin D can be particularly tricky—it may appear harmless, but it is often sourced from lanolin, which is derived from sheep's wool. Unfortunately, there is usually no way to determine the source of the vitamin D just by looking at the packaging. Sometimes it is derived from a vegan source and is clearly labeled, but the only way to be certain is to contact the manufacturer for confirmation.

A useful tip for quickly reviewing a cereal's ingredient list is to look for allergens. All nutrition labels should prominently feature the word "allergens," along with a list of potential allergens or a statement indicating "none." Dairy-derived ingredients can be especially challenging to identify, as they have many different names—so the allergen list should specify if any dairy-derived ingredients are included. The same applies to honey and eggs, but this method isn't foolproof. For instance, gelatin is not typically listed as a common allergen, so it may not appear on the label. If you have any uncertainties, it's wise to investigate further to ensure you’re not misled by ambiguous labeling.