IS IT VEGAN?

Oftentimes, when we are shopping or already consuming our food, it can be difficult to comprehend what ingredients went into making the dish. More specifically, vegans must pay close attention to what ingredients make up food and how they are prepped and cooked to ensure they are sticking within the means of their diet. Although the selected ingredients are not all-inclusive, they are some of the most common ingredients found in foods that are typically known by one name and can be of animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin.

Non-vegan Ingredients with Alternatives:

- Castoreum: Castoreum is an animal secretion that just so happens to smell like vanilla.
Often it is used in food products to give it the taste of vanilla or even to enhance tastes like raspberries and strawberries.
Alternatives: Pure Almond Extract, McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract, Amoretti
Natural Blueberry Artisan Flavor, or Simply Organic Orange Flavor.

- Casein:
Casein is the protein in milk. It is found in the list of ingredients in products like cream-based soups, sherbet, ice creams, margarine, puddings, and, unfortunately, many other products that are labeled “dairy-free.”
Alternatives: Fooditive Vegan Casein

- Whey: Whey is the liquid that remains after the milk has been curdled and strained. It is a byproduct of manufactured cheese or casein. Due to its inexpensive and common quality, it is commonly used in cheese-flavored snacks, margarine, hot dogs, and sausages and is frequently used in prepackaged desserts.

- Lactose: This ingredient might seem like it is common sense; however, it is a sugar in milk. It is commonly found in margarine, some cereals, frozen potato products, instant mashed potato mixes, muffins, biscuits, rolls, and more.
Alternatives: This can be found in most plant milks like almond, coconut, soy, etc.

- Lactic Acid: Although there are many vegan forms of lactic acid, there are remains to be many animal-derived products. Lactic acid acts as a food preservative, curing agent, and flavoring agent. It is an ingredient that is also typically found in processed foods like pickles, olives, sauerkraut, candy, frozen desserts, fruit preserves, and more.
Alternatives: Vegan lactic acid powder from ModernistPantry.com or citric acid powder

- Gelatin: Gelatin is found in many everyday products, specifically foods like sweets. It is a protein obtained through boiling bones with water, usually sourced from cows or pics.
Alternatives: Gelatin-free products

- Cochineal or Carmine: Cochineal or Carmine is usually made up of crushed bugs and beetles and is used in red coloring for foods.
Alternatives: Red dye number 40

- Oleic Acid or Oleinic Acid: Oleic Acid can oftentimes be made from rendered animal fats. It is typically found in synthetic butter, vegetable fats, and oils, along with many beverages and condiments.
Alternatives: Coconuts, olives, and nuts

- VitaminD3: Vitamin D3, as well as multi-vitamins, is derived from lambswool. It can be used to fortify foods and drinks such as orange juice.
Alternatives: Vitamin D2 and Exposing your skin to sunlight (with sunscreen on, of
course!)

- Lard: Lard is commonly known as fat for foods. It is commonly used in baked goods, European-style baked goods, canned soups, refried beans, french fries, etc.
Alternatives: Pure Vegetable Fats or Oils

There are so many sneaky and unidentified non-vegan ingredients within our everyday food. It is important to know how to identify these items that might be in the food you are going to consume. It can save you the trouble of having issues of discomfort, and you will grow a stronger understanding of a plant-based diet. These commonly left secret ingredients can be harmful to those who partake in the vegan lifestyle and diet, so why not learn how to pinpoint these harmful ingredients?!

Words by: Erica Benton

Sources:

“Animal-Derived Ingredients list.” PETA.org,

“15 Ingredients that are NOT vegan” the Edgy Veg

Photos: Pinterest