Is Rice Krispies Vegan?
Not Vegan
Not certifiedKellogg's Rice Krispies are not vegan in the United States. The cereal is fortified with Vitamin D3, which is sourced from lanolin, a waxy secretion derived from sheep wool. The base ingredients (rice, sugar, salt, malt flavor) are plant-based, but the added D3 makes the standard US product non-vegan by most definitions.
The catch: Vitamin D3 in the US formulation comes from lanolin (sheep wool grease), an animal byproduct that disqualifies it for strict vegans.
Category
Cereal
Verdict
Not Vegan
Brand
Kellogg's (Kellanova)
The core ingredients of Rice Krispies are simple: rice, sugar, salt, and malt flavor. The problem is in the vitamin fortification panel.
Vitamin D3, as used by Kellogg's in the US, is derived from lanolin, the grease extracted from sheep wool. This is standard industrial practice for D3 fortification and it applies to the original Rice Krispies as well as Cocoa Krispies and Frosted Krispies.
A secondary concern raised in vegan communities is that the sugar in US cereals may be refined using bone char (charcoal made from cattle bones), though bone char is a processing aid and not an ingredient in the final product. Strict vegans typically avoid bone char sugar; others do not.
Regional note: the UK formulation has been cited by some sources as differing from the US version, but independent verification of whether the UK product uses D2 (plant-derived) versus D3 (animal-derived) is inconsistent across sources. Always check the specific label if purchasing in the UK or Europe.
Rice Krispies Treats bars contain additional non-vegan ingredients including butter and marshmallows (gelatin), and are clearly not vegan regardless of the D3 question.
What makes it non-vegan
- ✕Vitamin D3 (lanolin-derived)
Vegan alternatives
- ✓ Nature's Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal (certified vegan, whole grain brown rice, no D3 issue)
- ✓ One Degree Organic Brown Rice Crisps (sprouted, vegan certified)
- ✓ Barbara's Organic Brown Rice Crisps (vegan, widely available)
- ✓ 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Brown Rice Cereal (store brand, vegan)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Looking to make your own? Browse our vegan swaps.
Other cereal
Frequently asked
Is Rice Krispies Vegan?
Kellogg's Rice Krispies are not vegan in the United States. The cereal is fortified with Vitamin D3, which is sourced from lanolin, a waxy secretion derived from sheep wool. The base ingredients (rice, sugar, salt, malt flavor) are plant-based, but the added D3 makes the standard US product non-vegan by most definitions.
What is the catch with Rice Krispies?
Vitamin D3 in the US formulation comes from lanolin (sheep wool grease), an animal byproduct that disqualifies it for strict vegans.
What can I use instead of Rice Krispies?
Vegan options include Nature's Path Organic Crispy Rice Cereal (certified vegan, whole grain brown rice, no D3 issue), One Degree Organic Brown Rice Crisps (sprouted, vegan certified), Barbara's Organic Brown Rice Crisps (vegan, widely available), 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Brown Rice Cereal (store brand, vegan).
Is Rice Krispies certified vegan?
Rice Krispies does not carry a third-party vegan certification, so the verdict here is based on its current ingredient list and manufacturer information.
Sources
Last verified June 20, 2026. See how we verify. Always confirm on the current product label, since recipes change. Product photo via Open Food Facts.
Comments