Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vegan and Cruelty Free? The Soggy Truth

May 7, 2023

Figuring out whether Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal is safe for vegans to consume can be a bit difficult.

Cereals often contain many ingredients and some of them may be animal derived.

To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan lifestyle and diet, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Here’s what I found out.

Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vegan?

No. Cinnamon Toast Crunch products are not vegan.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a breakfast cereal brand made by General Mills. What makes it unsuitable for vegans is that it contains refined sugar and vitamin D3, and some varieties even contain milk and honey, both animal-based ingredients.

Sugar is technically vegan because it’s plant based. However, in the US refined sugar is filtered with animal bone char to make it white. Bone char is a black, porous, granular material produced by carbonizing animal bones. It’s used in the sugar industry as a decolorizing and de-ashing agent.

Vitamin D3 is sourced from lanolin, a wax secreted by glands in the skin of sheep.

So, if you’re a vegan and want to consume Cinnamon Toast Crunch, you’re better off buying one of the many vegan cinnamon toast breakfast cereals on the market.

Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cruelty Free?

Yes! Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a cruelty-free brand of breakfast cereal.

Cinnamon Toast cereals are not tested on animals at any point during the manufacturing process, nor do they contain additives or ingredients that are tested on animals, such as artificial colors.

In addition, General Mills, Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s parent company, has an animal testing policy that Cinnamon Toast Crunch also follows. It does not conduct any animal tests on ingredients or finished products unless required by law.

Animal testing is an unethical, outdated, and inhumane practice that often leaves innocent animals disfigured, in pain, and dead. There surely are more humane ways to test products. Thankfully, more and more companies are moving away from animal testing and instead opting for cruelty-free methods.

What Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of the Original Cinnamon Toast Crunch:

  • Whole grain wheat
  • Sugar
  • Rice flour
  • Canola and/or sunflower oil
  • Fructose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Dextrose
  • Salt
  • Cinnamon
  • Trisodium phosphate
  • Soy lecithin
  • Caramel color
  • BHT added to preserve freshness
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)
  • Iron and zinc (mineral nutrients)
  • A B vitamin (niacinamide)
  • Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)
  • Vitamin A (palmitate)
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • A B vitamin (folic acid)
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin D3

Let’s break down all the Cinnamon Toast Crunch ingredients:

Whole grain wheat

Whole grain wheat is a type of wheat that contains all three parts of the grain: the endosperm, bran, and germ. It’s a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Whole grain wheat is a vegan ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar is a sweet crystalline substance that is derived from sugarcane or beet. Sugar is often processed with bone char to achieve a white color. Because of this processing, sugar is not considered suitable for a vegan diet.

Rice flour

Rice flour is a type of flour made from finely milled rice. It’s a good alternative for those with gluten sensitivities or allergies. Rice flour is a vegan ingredient.

Canola and/or sunflower oil

Canola oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the canola plant. Sunflower oil is a type of vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant. Both canola and sunflower oil are vegan ingredients.

Fructose

Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in fruits, vegetables, and honey. It’s often used as a sweetener in processed foods. Fructose’s vegan status depends on its source.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a type of carbohydrate that is derived from starch. It’s often used as a thickening or bulking agent in processed foods. Maltodextrin is a vegan ingredient.

Dextrose

Dextrose is a type of sugar that is derived from cornstarch. It’s often used as a sweetener or preservative in processed foods. Dextrose is a vegan ingredient.

Salt

Salt is often used as a flavor enhancer or preservative in food. Salt is a vegan ingredient.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that is derived from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is a vegan ingredient.

Trisodium phosphate

Trisodium phosphate is a type of salt that is often used as a preservative in processed foods. Trisodium phosphate is a vegan ingredient.

Soy lecithin

Soy lecithin is a type of emulsifier that is derived from soybeans. It’s often used in processed foods to improve texture or stability. Soy lecithin is a vegan ingredient.

Caramel color

Caramel color is a food coloring that is made by heating carbohydrates with acids or bases. Caramel color’s vegan status depends on the type of carbohydrate used to make it. If caramel color is made with refined sugar, it is not vegan. Food brands rarely identify the source of ingredients such as this.

BHT

BHT is a type of preservative that is often used in processed foods. BHT is a vegan ingredient.

Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate)

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin C is a vegan ingredient.

Iron and zinc (mineral nutrients)

Iron and zinc are minerals that are essential for human health. They are found in food sources such as meat, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, and whole grains. Iron and zinc are vegan ingredients.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B that is water soluble. It’s often sourced from nicotinic acid, which is found in plant-based foods such as nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Niacinamide is a vegan.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride)

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine hydrochloride, is a water-soluble vitamin that is sourced from plant-based foods like grains, nuts, and legumes. Vitamin B6 is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vitamin B1 (thiamin mononitrate)

Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in food sources such as whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Vitamin B1 is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vitamin A (palmitate)

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is often sourced from palm oil. Vitamin A is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that is produced by bacteria. Vitamin B12 is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is often sourced from lanolin, which is derived from sheep’s wool. Vitamin D3 is not vegan.

Why Isn’t Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vegan?

Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not vegan because it contains refined sugar and vitamin D3. Additionally, other Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavors contain milk products and honey. These ingredients make it clear that Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not vegan.

Are Cinnamon Toast Crunch Churros Vegan?

No. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Churros are not vegan. They contain refined sugar and vitamin D3.

This product is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookie Mix Vegan?

No. This product is not vegan. It contains refined sugar and milk.

This cookie mix is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch Vegan?

No. This chocolatey breakfast cereal is not vegan. It contains refined sugar and vitamin D3.

Chocolate Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is CinnaGraham Toast Crunch Vegan?

No. This graham cracker-based cereal is not vegan. It contains refined sugar, honey, and vitamin D3.

This breakfast cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Cinnamon Toast Crunch Pancake Mix Vegan?

No. This product is not vegan. It contains refined sugar, vitamin D3, and milk.

This pancake mix is not safe for vegan consumption.

Is Apple Pie Toast Crunch Vegan?

No. This product is not vegan. It contains refined sugar and vitamin D3.

This breakfast cereal is not safe for vegan consumption.

Vegan Alternatives to Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Craving cinnamon toast cereal but don’t want to risk it with Cinnamon Toast Crunch? There are plenty of vegan alternatives out there that will satisfy your sweet tooth, including some certified organic cinnamon cereal products. Here are a few of my favorites:

These cereals may not be certified vegan products but they are clear of ingredients that we vegans avoid. So, they are certainly vegan friendly. You can feel good about eating these cereals knowing that no animals were harmed in the process of making them!

Final Words

So, is Cinnamon Toast Crunch vegan? No, sadly, it’s not. However, you don’t need to worry about finding a vegan-friendly breakfast option because there are plenty of delicious cereals on the market that are safe for a vegan diet!

Indulge in a bowl (or two) of one of our favorites and enjoy the sweet and savory taste of cinnamon toast crunch cereals without any guilt!