Is Bear Naked Granola Vegan and Cruelty Free? (2024)

Figuring out whether Bear Naked Granola is vegan friendly can be a tough task.

Kellogg’s, the company behind Bear Naked, masks the actual ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do give you a full list, they rarely include how those ingredients were made.

To ensure that you’re only eating foods that align with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Bear Naked Granola.

Here’s what I found out.

Is Bear Naked Granola Vegan?

No. Bear Naked Granola is not vegan.

Most of Bear Naked’s granola contains cane sugar, which is often processed using bone char. Bone char is a black, porous substance that is made from the bones of cattle.

Not all sugar is processed with animal bone char but the majority of it is. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” you can bet that it was processed with bone char.

So, even though this granola uses mostly plant-based ingredients, the sugar disqualifies it from being vegan.

In addition to cane sugar, Bear Naked Granola also contains honey. Honey is of course an animal product and is therefore not vegan.

Bear Naked Granola does have vegan granola that doesn’t contain honey or cane sugar but these varieties are few and far between.

So, if you’re looking for vegan granola, your best bet is to look elsewhere.

Is Bear Naked Granola Cruelty Free?

The good news is that all of their products are cruelty free!

The product is not tested on animals at any stage of production and does not contain any ingredients that might have been tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.

Bear Naked is committed to using natural ingredients. They also persuade their customers to recycle their wrappers.

So, if you’re looking for cruelty-free and eco-friendly granola, Bear Naked is a good choice!

What Is Bear Naked Granola Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Bear Naked Granola:

Whole grain oats
Honey
Expeller pressed sunflower oil
Coconut
Oat bran
Almonds
Walnuts
Maple syrup
Brown rice syrup
Banana puree
Ground flax seeds
Natural flavors
Cane sugar
Rice flour
Semi-sweet chocolate

Let’s break down each ingredient of Bear Naked Granola:

Whole grain oats

Whole grain oats are used as the base for many Bear Naked Granola products. Oats are a type of cereal grain that is harvested from annual grasses. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Honey

Honey is a type of sweetener that is made by bees and used in many food products. Honey is a non-vegan ingredient.

Expeller pressed sunflower oil

Expeller pressed canola oil is a type of vegetable oil. Canola oil is made from the crushed seeds of the canola plant. This oil is high in healthy fats, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats. It is used as a cooking oil or baking ingredient. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Coconut

Coconut is a fruit that is often used in vegan recipes as a substitute for dairy products. Coconut fiber contains healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. It is also a good source of minerals. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Oat bran

Oat bran is the outer layer of the oat grain. It is high in fiber and other nutrients. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Almonds

Almonds are a tree nut often used in vegan recipes as a substitute for dairy products. Almonds are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. They are also a good source of minerals. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Walnuts

Walnuts are a tree nut that is often used in vegan recipes. Walnuts are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Maple syrup

Maple syrup is a sweetener made from the sap of maple trees. Maple syrup is vegan.

Brown rice syrup

Brown rice syrup is a type of sweetener made from brown rice. Brown rice syrup is vegan.

Banana puree

Banana puree is a fruit puree made from bananas. It sweetens baking recipes. Banana puree is vegan.

Ground flax seeds

Ground flax seed is high in fiber and omega-three fatty acids. It is often used as an ingredient in vegan recipes. Ground flax seed is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Natural flavors

Natural flavors can be derived from plants or animals. They are used to add flavor to food products. Natural flavors can be vegan or non-vegan depending on the source. The flavors from Bear Naked Granola are likely plant based because the product is granola.

Cane sugar

Cane sugar is a type of sugar that is made from sugar cane. It is often used as a sweetener in food products. Cane sugar is plant based, however, most are filtered with animal bone char to make it white. Unless the sugar is labeled “organic,” “raw,” or “unrefined,” it is probably processed with bone char.

Pepitas

Pepitas, or roasted pumpkin seeds, are often used in snack foods. They are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. This is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Monk fruit extract

Monk fruit extract is a sweetener made from monk fruit. It is used as a sugar substitute in many food products. Monk fruit extract is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Semi-sweet chocolate

Semi-sweet chocolate is a type of chocolate that is made from cocoa beans, sugar, and milk. It is used in many food products as a source of sweetness. Semi-sweet chocolate is a non-vegan ingredient.

Why Isn’t Bear Naked Granola Vegan?

Bear Naked Granola is not vegan because it contains honey and cane sugar. Honey is of course an animal byproduct, and most cane sugar is often filtered with bone char.

Even with mostly plant-based ingredients, Bear Naked Granola is not vegan. They do have a few vegan flavors that use coconut sugar as a sweetener, but for the most part, this product is not vegan.

If you’re looking for vegan granola, you’re better off looking elsewhere. There’s plenty of delicious vegan granola on the market made with plant-based ingredients and without refined sugar.

Is Bear Naked Granola Fruit & Nut Vegan?

No. Bear Naked Fruit & Nut contains honey, an animal product. Be sure to check the label before purchasing to make sure you’re getting a product that meets your dietary needs.