Vegan Ingredient Database
Search 21 of the most common food additives and ingredients to find out — instantly — whether they're vegan, what they're made from, and which plant-based alternatives to look for instead.
Every entry includes the verdict (vegan, not vegan, or depends), the regulatory and E-number aliases, what to expect on a label, and links to the strongest sources we could find — FDA, EFSA, and The Vegan Society.
Use the database whenever you spot an unfamiliar additive on a package. If you have an entire ingredient list to check, paste it into our free vegan ingredient checker — the AI flags every animal-derived item in one shot.
Is Casein vegan?
Casein is an animal-derived protein found directly in milk.
Is Carmine (E120) vegan?
Carmine is made from crushed insects, making it unsuitable for a plant-based diet.
Is Whey vegan?
Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheese-making process, meaning it comes directly from dairy milk.
Is Gelatin vegan?
Gelatin is derived from boiling animal collagen, which comes from connective tissues, making it strictly non-vegan.
Is L-Cysteine (E920) vegan?
L-Cysteine is an amino acid typically extracted from animal sources like feathers or hair.
Is Lecithin vegan?
Most commercial lecithin is plant-based (from soy or sunflower), but it can occasionally be derived from eggs. You must verify the source if the product is not explicitly labeled vegan.
Is Xanthan Gum vegan?
Xanthan gum is a plant-based carbohydrate produced by bacterial fermentation.
Is Isinglass vegan?
Isinglass is a substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish, making it strictly non-vegan.
Is Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze) vegan?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, meaning it is an animal-derived product.
Is Lanolin vegan?
Lanolin is a waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool, making it an animal byproduct.
Is Beeswax vegan?
Beeswax is produced by bees, which categorizes it as an animal byproduct.
Is Honey vegan?
Honey is produced by bees, meaning it relies on animal labor and exploitation.
Is Glycerin (Glycerol) vegan?
Glycerin can be derived from either plant oils or animal fats. While plant sources are increasingly common, the source isn't always specified on labels.
Is Mono and Diglycerides vegan?
These are fats that can be derived from either plant oils or animal fats. Their origin is rarely specified on packaging.
Is Stearic Acid vegan?
Stearic acid is a fatty acid that can come from animal fat (tallow) or vegetable fat (cocoa butter or shea butter).
Is Natural Flavors vegan?
The FDA allows "natural flavors" to be derived from both plant and animal sources. Without contacting the manufacturer, you cannot be 100% certain.
Is Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vegan?
Red 40 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum, not insects like Carmine. While strictly vegan, some avoid it due to animal testing or health concerns.
Is Agar-Agar vegan?
Agar-agar is a jelly-like substance obtained from red algae. It is an excellent, fully plant-based substitute for animal-derived gelatin.
Is Pectin vegan?
Pectin is a starch found naturally in fruits and vegetables, making it 100% vegan.
Is Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) vegan?
Most commercial Vitamin D3 is synthesized from lanolin, which is extracted from sheep's wool.
Is Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) vegan?
B12 supplements and fortifiers are created through bacterial fermentation, not from animal sources.