Welcome, fellow vegan or plant-based food enthusiast! If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at the tiny print on a food label, wondering if that ingredient is vegan or not, then this guide is for you.
Navigating the world of vegan food can be a daunting task, with a myriad of labels and certifications that can leave even the most seasoned plant-based eaters scratching their heads. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll decode the hidden meanings behind these labels, empowering you to make informed choices and ensure your dietary preferences align with your ethical and environmental values.
Understanding Vegan Certifications
Before we dive into the world of food labels, let’s talk about vegan certification. When you see a vegan logo on a product, it means that a third-party organization has verified that the product is free of animal products and that the manufacturing process is free of animal exploitation.
There are several commonly recognized vegan certification bodies, including:
- The Vegan Society (UK)
- Certified Vegan (USA)
- Vegan Action (USA)
These organizations offer certification to companies that meet certain standards. For example, the Vegan Society requires that all ingredients and manufacturing processes be free of animal products, as well as that the company does not test on animals. Certified Vegan and Vegan Action have similar requirements.
When it comes to vegan certification logos, there can be some variations. For example, The Vegan Society logo includes the word “vegan,” while Certified Vegan and Vegan Action do not. However, all three logos include an image of a circle with a carrot inside, so be sure to look for that as well.
It’s worth noting that some companies may use their own version of a vegan logo, so it’s always a good idea to do some research to make sure that the certification is legitimate. You can check the websites of the certification bodies to see a full list of certified products and companies.
Navigating Vegan Food Labels
Now that we’ve covered vegan certification, let’s talk about how to use it to your advantage when shopping for food. One of the first things to look for on a food label is a vegan certification logo. If the product has been certified as vegan by a reputable organization, then you know that it’s free of animal products and that the manufacturer has taken steps to ensure that the product was made without exploiting animals.
However, not all vegan foods will bear a certification logo. In this case, you’ll need to do some detective work to determine if a food is vegan. Here are some tips:
Identifying Vegan Ingredients
The first step in decoding a food label is to learn how to identify vegan ingredients. Animal products often come in unexpected forms, such as:
- Lactose (found in milk chocolate and some breads)
- Whey (a milk protein often found in protein powders and some plant-based milks)
- Eggs (often used as binders in processed foods)
- Honey (though some vegans do consume this)
It’s also important to be aware of additives and preservatives that may be derived from animal sources, such as:
- Vitamin D3 (often derived from sheep’s wool or lanolin)
- Carmine (a red pigment derived from insects)
Fortunately, there are many plant-based alternatives to these ingredients, and companies that market their products as vegan will generally avoid using them.
Another common trick is for companies to list an animal-derived ingredient in the ingredients list using its scientific name. For example, “lactose” will be listed as “milk sugar.” So be sure to familiarize yourself with the scientific names of common animal-derived ingredients.
If a food contains any animal-derived ingredients, it is required by law to list them on the label. However, some companies may use very small amounts of an animal-derived ingredient for flavor or as a processing aid (such as using bone char to make sugar). In these cases, the company may not list the ingredient on the label because it is not considered a “major ingredient.” If you are unsure about a product, contact the manufacturer to ask.
Deciphering Vegan Claims on Product Packaging
Food labels can be confusing, and marketing terms like “vegan,” “plant-based,” and “vegetarian” are often used interchangeably. Here’s a quick guide to what each term means:
- Vegan: An item is 100% free of animal products and derivatives.
- Plant-based: An item is primarily made from plant-based ingredients, but it may contain small amounts of animal-derived ingredients.
- Vegetarian: An item does not contain meat, but it may contain animal products such as dairy, eggs, or honey.
It’s also worth noting that some companies may use the term “vegan” on their product even if it has not been certified as such. If you are unsure if a product is truly vegan, you can check the ingredients list or contact the manufacturer to ask.
Greenwashing is another common trick used by companies to deceive consumers. Greenwashing refers to marketing practices that make a product appear to be more environmentally friendly than it actually is. For example, a company may slap a “recyclable” logo on a product that is not actually recyclable, or it may use vague language such as “natural” or “sustainable” to make the product seem more appealing to environmentally-conscious shoppers.
In the case of vegan food labels, a company may use the word “vegan” to make the product seem more ethical and humane, even if it is not. For example, a company may use the word “vegan” to describe a product that contains honey or other animal-derived ingredients. To avoid falling for this trick, make sure to read the ingredients list carefully.
Exploring Vegan-Friendly Ingredients
Now that we’ve covered how to identify vegan food, let’s talk about some common vegan-friendly ingredients. One of the most obvious vegan protein sources is soy. Soybeans can be made into a variety of products, including:
- Tofu (a soybean product that can be used as a meat substitute in savory dishes)
- Tempeh (a fermented soybean product that is similar to tofu but has a nuttier flavor and a firmer texture)
- Soy milk (a plant-based milk made from soybeans)
- Edamame (immature soybeans, often served as a snack or appetizer)
Other plant-based protein sources include:
- Legumes (such as lentils, chickpeas, and black beans)
- Nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and peanuts)
- Seeds (such as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds)
When it comes to vegan dairy alternatives, there are many options available, including:
- Plant-based milks, such as soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk
- Plant-based cheeses, made from ingredients such as nuts, soy, or tapioca
- Plant-based yogurts, made from soy, coconut, or other plant-based milks
It’s worth noting that while these plant-based products can be good sources of protein and other nutrients, they are not always nutritionally equivalent to the animal products they are meant to replace. For example, soy milk has less calcium than cow’s milk, and some plant-based cheeses can contain a lot of salt and additives. So it’s important to read the nutrition label and choose plant-based products that are a good source of the nutrients you need.
Navigating Vegan Labeling in Different Food Categories
Now that we’ve covered the basics of vegan food labels, let’s talk about how to apply this knowledge to different types of food. One type of food that can be particularly confusing is baked goods and snacks.
Ingredients like honey and gelatin are often used in baked goods, and they can be difficult to spot because they are not always listed in the ingredients list. For example, honey may be listed as “malt syrup,” “barley malt,” or “caramel color.” Gelatin may be listed as “gelatin” (obviously), but it may also be listed as “beef stock,” “pork stock,” or “chicken stock” if it is derived from animal bones. Be sure to read the ingredients carefully, and don’t be afraid to contact the manufacturer if you have questions.
Another common trick is for companies to use the word “vegan” on the label even if the product is not actually vegan. For example, a company may use the word “vegan” to describe a product that contains honey. If you are unsure if a product is truly vegan, you can check the ingredients list or contact the manufacturer to ask.
When it comes to frozen and prepared meals, it’s important to not only check the ingredients list for animal products, but also to consider the sourcing of the ingredients. For example, a meal that is labeled as “vegan” may contain soy milk that was produced using genetically modified soybeans, or it may contain palm oil that was harvested in a way that destroyed rainforest habitat. To ensure that the meal is not only vegan, but also sustainable and ethical, look for a certification like Certified Vegan or check the company’s website to see if they have a sustainability or ethical sourcing policy.
Staying Informed and Making Informed Choices
Now that you know how to decode vegan food labels, it’s important to stay informed about which foods are vegan and which are not. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use an online database of vegan products. For example, Cruelty Free KC has a searchable database of vegan products that you can browse by brand or by product category. You can also use the site to scan product barcodes to see if they are vegan.
There are also mobile apps that can help you shop for vegan food on the go. For example, the Vegan World app allows you to scan product barcodes and provides information about whether the product is vegan, as well as information about the company and its ethical practices. The app also includes a database of restaurants and stores that you can search to find vegan options in your area.
If you want to advocate for clearer vegan labeling, you can contact the companies that make your favorite vegan products and ask them to get certified. You can also sign petitions and contact your local and national lawmakers to ask them to require clearer labeling of vegan and vegetarian products. By working together, we can make it easier for everyone to choose foods that align with their values.