What are common hidden animal ingredients?
FOOD
Short answer
Watch for gelatin, whey, casein, lactose, carmine (E120), shellac (E904), L-cysteine, isinglass, lard, tallow, cochineal, and animal-derived mono- and diglycerides.
FOOD
The detail
Ingredients that sound chemical but are animal-derived: carmine/cochineal (crushed insects, in red sweets and yogurt), shellac (beetle secretion, on shiny apples and pills), L-cysteine (bread softener), lanolin (from sheep wool, in some vitamin D3).
Vitamin D3 is usually from lanolin — vegan D3 from lichen is now widely available. Omega-3 supplements: pick algae-based, not fish oil.
Scan ingredient labels for 'E-numbers' like E120 (carmine) or E904 (shellac) when buying candies or glazed snacks. A common trap is vitamin D3 in cereals, which is frequently derived from lanolin found in sheep's wool. By choosing products with the 'V' label or 'Certifed Vegan' logo, you can save time and avoid accidentally consuming these obscured animal-derived substances.
RELATED
More questions like this
- Is sugar vegan?
Usually yes, but some cane sugar in the US is filtered through bone char. Beet sugar, organic sugar and unrefined sugar are always vegan.
- Is wine vegan?
Not always. Many wines are clarified with isinglass (fish bladders), casein, egg white or gelatin. Look for 'unfined' or 'vegan' on the label.
- What supplements do vegans need?
Only B12 is universally required. Vitamin D, iodine, algae-based omega-3 (EPA/DHA), and sometimes zinc, selenium or iron are recommended depending on diet and location.
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