Reading labels
Most of the time it's easy: the label says "vegan", or has the Vegan Society sunflower logo. When it doesn't, check the ingredients for these.
Quick way: paste the ingredients into the label checker and it highlights anything from an animal.
Allergens are in bold
By law, the 14 allergens are in bold in UK ingredient lists. So the quickest check is: is milk or egg in bold? If yes, it isn't vegan.
Hidden animal ingredients
| On the label | What it is |
|---|---|
| Whey, casein, caseinate, lactose | From milk |
| Albumen, egg powder | From egg |
| Gelatine | From animal bones and skin — in sweets, jelly, some yoghurts |
| Carmine, cochineal, E120 | Red colour made from insects |
| Shellac, E904 | From insects — a shiny coating on some sweets and fruit |
| Beeswax, E901 | From bees — coatings |
| Honey | From bees |
| Vitamin D3 | Often from sheep's wool (lanolin), unless it says vegan |
| L-cysteine, E920 | Sometimes from feathers — in some bread |
| Isinglass | From fish — used to clear some beer and wine. More here. |
"May contain milk"
This is a warning for people with allergies. It means the factory also handles milk. It does not mean milk is an ingredient. Many vegans eat these foods. If you're allergic, avoid them.
"Plant-based" and "dairy-free"
Not always vegan. "Plant-based" can still contain honey. "Dairy-free" can still contain egg. Check the ingredients.