Having a pork allergy is no-joke. It’s not as simple as avoiding pork. There are a lot of unsuspecting foods that contain pork. Here’s a list of the foods to avoid if you have a pork allergy.
Pour yourself a nice bowl of cereal – colorful o’s, crunchy flakes or puffed rice doused in cold milk. It’s the perfect quick breakfast, right? But before you dig in, check that box. If you avoid pork for religious vegetarian, or other reasons, you may be unaware that some popular cereals actually contain pork-derived ingredients like gelatin. It’s hidden in the places you’d least expect – the sweet decorations and crunchy coatings.
Here’s a detailed look at which innocent-seeming cereals secretly harbor ingredients that should be avoided by those who don’t eat pork
Gelatin is the Culprit
The main pork-based ingredient found in numerous cereals is gelatin. Gelatin is a protein substance derived from the boiled bones, skins, and connective tissues of animals – most commonly pigs. It has a unique ability to solidify liquids, act as a stabilizer and texturizer, and create chewy textures. This makes it a common additive in a wide range of products – including certain cereals.
If you dig into the ingredients lists on the boxes of cereals that contain marshmallows, you’ll likely spot gelatin. It’s what gives those fluffy marbits their characteristic melt-in-your-mouth texture. But the gelatin used in major cereal brands is often derived from pork. Observant consumers who avoid pork have noticed this undisclosed addition that prevents them from being able to enjoy some favorite cereals.
A Breakdown of the Pork Gelatin Cereals
Here are the most common culprit cereals that include pork-based gelatin so you know what to watch out for:
Kellogg’s Cereals with Marshmallows
Pretty much any Kellogg’s cereal that contains marshmallows includes pork gelatin, with a few exceptions. Specifically, it’s found in:
- Fruity Marshmallow Krispies
- Marshmallow Froot Loops
- Smorz
- Any other Kelloggs’ cereals with marshmallows
A few Rice Krispies cereals also contain pork gelatin:
- Rice Krispies Treats Crunch
- Rice Krispies Treats Squares
- Special K Protein Snack Bars
General Mills Cereals
Watch out for General Mills cereals that have marshmallows like:
- Lucky Charms (all varieties)
- Holiday/seasonal editions of Lucky Charms
Malt-O-Meal Cereals
Malt-O-Meal brands use pork gelatin in:
- Marshmallow Mateys
- Frosted Mini Spooners
Ralston Foods
- Frosted Shredded Wheat (Ralston)
Millville (Aldi Brand)
- Millville Marshmallows and Stars
- Any Millville cereals with marshmallows
Other Store Brand “Marshmallowed” Cereals
Generally speaking, if you come across a cereal containing marshmallows as an ingredient, and it’s not a dedicated vegetarian/kosher brand, there’s a good chance pork gelatin is used.
Hidden in More Than Just Marshmallows
It’s not only marshmallow-filled cereals that can include pork additives. Some frosted cereals also contain pork-derived confectioner’s glaze on their sweet coatings. So be vigilant in checking labels for any cereal with gelatin listed or that has a frosted finish.
Safer Bets are Available
The good news is there are still plenty of great cereals out there you can enjoy pork-free. Any cereals that are certified kosher or explicitly vegetarian will not contain meat-based ingredients like gelatin. Look for cereals made by brands like Kashi, Annie’s, Cascadian Farm, or Food for Life. There are also cereal options from Nature’s Path, Barbara’s Bakery, EnviroKidz, and Lydia’s that are vegetarian-safe.
You can also choose basic unsweetened whole grain cereals or make your own homemade granola for zero risk of pork products. Just be extra careful when grabbing fun, candy-filled cereals as they are the most likely to harbor hidden pork-derived gelatin or confectioner’s glaze. A quick scan of the ingredients list can help you avoid products containing animal-based additives.
Why Read Labels and Know Your Cereal?
Being an aware, informed consumer can help you steer clear of ingredients you wish to avoid for dietary, religious or ethical reasons. Cereals make it too easy to just grab a fun-looking box without considering what’s really inside.
But wouldn’t you rather enjoy your cereal knowing it aligns with your personal needs and restrictions? The tiny marshmallows may look harmless, but they can mean the difference between a permissible meal or one with banned substances for some individuals.
So take a couple extra seconds to read the fine print on that cereal box. Your improved breakfast bliss will thank you. Then you can truly savor every sweetened, puffed, crunchy bite of your new favorite cereal free from the ickiness of surprise pork parts lurking within.
Symptoms of a Meat Allergy
- abdominal pain or upset stomach
- angiodema (skin swelling)
- blood pressure drop
- diarrhea
- headaches
- hives
- itchy skin
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- shortness of breath
- skin rash
- sneezing
- swelling of lips, tongue, or face
- vomiting
- in severe cases, anaphylaxis
While a pork allergy isn’t one of the common food allergens, many people have it. If you discover you have food sensitivities you can try an elimination diet. It’s worth it to know what to avoid if you don’t like experiencing stomach pain.
Some gelatin is made from pork (other gelatin comes from beef). It can be found in various foods, such as marshmallows, candies, ice cream and jello.
In addition, insulin shots have a gelatin base. Among the vaccines that contain pork gelatin are those for rabies, the flu, yellow fever, MMR varicella, HPB, meningococcal, and hepatitis A and B.
Gelatin is often used as a thickener, a gelling agent, stabilizer, or texturizer in several food sources. It’s made from the bones, skin, tendons, and ligaments of cows or pigs.
If you are allergic to pork, you should either not eat any gelatin at all or be sure that the gelatin comes from cows or pigs.
Pork Allergy Foods to Avoid
If you have an allergy to pork, you might be wondering what foods you need to avoid. Well, the list is potentially long if you consume processed foods. People who eat whole foods and don’t buy packaged foods are much less likely to come into contact with pork.
But what about snacks and foods you buy at the store? It’s important to know that pork by-products are in a lot of foods!
If you have a meat allergy, you might think that staying away from the type of meat that makes you sick would keep you safe. Unfortunatelty, sometimes it’s not that simple.
Even if you read food labels very carefully, the foods you eat could sometimes be the ones that make your food intolerance worse. When you consume these food ingredients you could experience an allergic response.
Of course, the best way to keep a red meat or pork allergy from getting really bad is to make sure you don’t eat anything with pork in it.
Some everyday foods may contain pork, which you may not have known! If you have an alpha-gal allergy or just want to stay away from meats that contain pork, it’s important to know what to look out for to keep your allergic symptoms under control.
Do marshmallows have pork?
FAQ
What cereals contain gelatin?
Do Rice Krispies treats have pork in them?
Does Lucky Charms cereal have pork in it?
Do frosted mini-wheats have pork gelatin?
Do cereals contain pork?
Although it might seem surprising, some cereals contain traces of pork in the form of gelatin made from bones, cartilage, tendons and skin, as explained by CyberParent.com. Marshmallows are usually the culprit, and rarely, frosted cereals are a problem as well. A few cereals from Kellogg’s contain marshmallows made from pork gelatin.
What is an example of whole grain cereal?
A whole grain is the edible part of the grain, encompassing the bran, germ, and endosperm (the entire grain should be used intact). Grains are the seeds of plants called cereals. Examples of whole grain cereals are barley, bulgur, farro, millet, quinoa, black rice, brown rice, red rice.
Which Lucky Charms cereals contain pork?
They include all Lucky Charms cereals (General Mills): the original version of Chocolate Lucky Charms and any special holiday versions of the cereal. The Malt-O-Meal cereals Marshmallow Mateys, and Frosted Mini Spooners also contain pork.
What foods contain pork?
Many foods contain pork. The beloved ham, bacon, sausages, and pork chops are meat that comes from the pig itself. Furthermore, different pig parts can be broken down into elements used in food, such as gelatine or bone char. What Are All Pork Products? 100% pork products include pork steaks and chops, pork ribs, bacon, ham, and sausages.