Sometimes a product might be missing from our database, which can be problematic if you need to quickly determine its vegan status. It can be useful to know how to assess whether a product is vegan or not on your own. Navigating the world of veganism requires the important skill of being able to read and interpret ingredient lists. We are here to guide you through the process.

Spotting the Obvious

Start by identifying the obvious non-vegan ingredients. These often include dairy products (such as cream or cheese), eggs, and various types of meat such as pork, ham, beef, chicken, and so on. Also watch out for seafood and fish such as mussels, lobster, cod, salmon, and other types of fish. These ingredients are easy to spot because they are linked to animal sources.

Complicated Terminology

If you go beyond the obvious, you may encounter ingredients whose origins are harder to determine. Pay special attention to terms such as gelatin, carmine, honey, beeswax, rennet, lactose, whey, tallow, albumin, lard, or collagen. These indicate that the product contains animal components. Also consider that flavorings like meat or chicken extract may have animal origins. Even seemingly harmless vitamins can be non-vegan, such as certain types of vitamin D.

Allergen warnings

In some cases, allergens must be highlighted in bold or italicized, such as milk and eggs. Although these are intended to protect people with severe allergies, they can also be helpful for vegans. For example, if you see 'milk powder' in the ingredients, it is a clear non-vegan component. But be cautious, sometimes this standard is not always followed.

E-Numbers and additives

E-numbers are codes used to identify food additives. To determine their vegan status, you can compare them with our list of E-numbers or use our search function. The same E-number may sometimes contain animal products and sometimes not. However, there are also a few E-numbers that are always vegan. For example, E120, E901, and E904 are always non-vegan, while E621, E631, and E635 can be either non-vegan or vegan.

Traces, may Contain, and more

The phrase 'may contain traces of' can be concerning, but it usually indicates that non-vegan ingredients are processed in the same facility and therefore pose a risk for people with severe allergies. For most vegans, such traces are acceptable, but since preferences vary, it's important to use your own judgment.