Common non-vegan ingredients to watch for
Some animal-derived ingredients hide behind names and E-numbers. Here are the clear ones to avoid, the "usually not" ones, and the additives that could go either way.
Carmine (E120) Not vegan
Red food colouring in sweets, drinks, yoghurt, biscuits, sauces, lipstick.
Source: Crushed cochineal insects.
Vegan swap: Beetroot red (E162), anthocyanins, lycopene, or paprika extract.
Gelatin (E441) Not vegan
Gelling agent in gummies, marshmallows, jelly, capsules, some yoghurts.
Source: Boiled animal bones, skin and connective tissue.
Vegan swap: Agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, or cornstarch.
Shellac (E904) Not vegan
Glazing agent on shiny sweets, chocolate, chewing gum, coffee beans, apples.
Source: Resin secreted by the female lac insect.
Vegan swap: Carnauba wax (E903) or zein (plant-based glaze).
Isinglass Not vegan
Fining agent that clarifies some beers and wines.
Source: Dried fish swim bladders.
Vegan swap: Bentonite clay, pea-protein or activated-charcoal finings (look for "vegan" beer/wine).
Edible bone phosphate (E542) Not vegan
Anti-caking agent / emulsifier.
Source: Ground cattle or pig bones.
Vegan swap: Plant-derived phosphates, silicon dioxide (E551).
Lard / Tallow / Suet Not vegan
Fat used in pastry, fried foods, some breads.
Source: Rendered pig (lard) or beef (tallow/suet) fat.
Vegan swap: Vegetable shortening, coconut oil, vegan block butter.
Casein / Whey Not vegan
Milk proteins/sugar in "non-dairy" creamers, protein bars, chips, baked goods.
Source: Cow’s milk.
Vegan swap: Soy, pea or rice protein; plant-milk solids.
Honey Not vegan
Sweetener in cereals, drinks, sauces, baked goods.
Source: Produced by bees.
Vegan swap: Maple syrup, agave, date syrup, brown-rice syrup.
Disodium inosinate (E631) Usually not
Flavour enhancer in crisps, instant noodles, savoury snacks.
Source: Usually from fish or meat; occasionally fermented (vegan).
Vegan swap: Look for snacks using yeast extract or mushroom umami.
L-Cysteine (E920) Usually not
Dough conditioner in some commercial breads, bagels, pastries.
Source: Often from duck/chicken feathers or human hair; synthetic/plant versions exist.
Vegan swap: Breads using ascorbic acid (E300) as the conditioner.
Vitamin D3 (E670) Usually not
Fortifier in cereals, plant milks, juices, supplements.
Source: Usually from lanolin (sheep wool); lichen-derived D3 is vegan.
Vegan swap: Vitamin D2, or D3 labelled "from lichen / vegan".
Omega-3 (added) Usually not
Added to fortified foods and supplements.
Source: Usually fish oil; algae-derived omega-3 is vegan.
Vegan swap: Algal-oil omega-3 (DHA/EPA from algae).
Lecithin (E322) Check label
Emulsifier in chocolate, margarine, baked goods.
Source: Usually soy/sunflower (vegan), but can be from eggs.
Vegan swap: Soy or sunflower lecithin (most common, vegan).
Glycerol / Glycerin (E422) Check label
Humectant/sweetener in bars, icing, low-fat foods.
Source: Usually plant oils (vegan), sometimes animal fat.
Vegan swap: Products labelled "suitable for vegans" or "vegetable glycerin".
Mono- and diglycerides (E471) Check label
Emulsifier in bread, margarine, ice cream, baked goods.
Source: Usually plant oils (vegan), can be animal fat.
Vegan swap: Look for "plant-based" / "suitable for vegans".
Natural flavourings Check label
Generic flavour term on countless products.
Source: Can be plant or animal (e.g. castoreum, dairy) — rarely specified.
Vegan swap: Contact brand or choose certified-vegan products.
Sugar (refined white) Check label
Common sweetener.
Source: Plant-based, but some cane sugar is filtered through bone char.
Vegan swap: Beet sugar, organic/unrefined sugar, or "bone-char-free" brands.
Beetroot red (E162) Vegan
Natural red/pink colouring.
Source: From beetroot. Plant-based.
Citric acid (E330) Vegan
Acidity regulator / preservative.
Source: Fermented from sugar/corn. Vegan.
Pectin (E440) Vegan
Gelling agent in jams and gummies.
Source: From fruit (apples, citrus). Vegan.
Agar-agar (E406) Vegan
Gelling agent, a gelatin replacement.
Source: From seaweed. Vegan.
Carnauba wax (E903) Vegan
Glazing agent on sweets and fruit.
Source: From the carnauba palm. Vegan.
Ascorbic acid (E300) Vegan
Antioxidant / dough conditioner.
Source: Synthesised, plant-based. Vegan.
Common questions
Which E-numbers are never vegan?
The clearly animal-derived ones are E120 (carmine, from insects), E441 (gelatin, from animal bones/skin), E904 (shellac, from the lac insect), E542 (bone phosphate) and isinglass (fish bladder). E631 (disodium inosinate) and E920 (L-cysteine) are usually animal-derived. Many others like E322, E422 and E471 can be plant or animal — check the label.
Is sugar vegan?
Sugar is plant-based, but some refined cane sugar is filtered through bone char (charred animal bones). Beet sugar, organic and unrefined sugars avoid this, as do brands labelled bone-char-free.
Is "natural flavouring" vegan?
Not necessarily. "Natural flavouring" is a catch-all that can include animal-derived sources and is rarely specified. When it matters, contact the manufacturer or choose certified-vegan products.
How accurate is this checker?
Each entry is based on The Vegan Society, PETA and food-industry E-number guides, and shows an honest status — including "check the label" where an additive can be either plant or animal. Always verify on the actual product when a strict answer matters.
