Food Additives & E-Numbers

Agar-agar is a natural vegetable gelatin extracted from red algae (Rhodophyta). 100% plant-based.

Albumin refers to globular proteins, most commonly derived from chicken egg whites (ovalbumin) or blood serum (bovine serum albumin).

Aquafaba is the viscous liquid obtained from cooking chickpeas or draining canned chickpeas. Its unique starch-protein matrix mimics egg whites.

Beeswax is a biological wax secreted by worker honeybees from eight wax-secreting abdominal glands to construct the hexagonal honeycomb cells of their hive. Harvesting beeswax deprives bee colonies of their architectural habitat and food storage infrastructure, classifying it as strictly non-vegan.

Bone char is a porous, black, granular material produced by charring cattle bones at high temperatures (over 700°C / 1292°F). It is commercially used as a decolourising filter in traditional cane sugar refining and is strictly not vegan.

Carmine is a vibrant red dye extracted from crushed female cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus). Thousands of insects are killed to produce small amounts of dye.

Carrageenan is a family of natural linear sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red edible seaweeds (Rhodophyta). 100% plant/marine-algae derived.

Curcumin (E100) is the principal active yellow polyphenol extracted directly from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). 100% natural vegan colorant.

Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of cows or pigs with water. It is strictly an animal product.

Glycerine (glycerol / E422) is a simple triol compound produced during the saponification or hydrolysis of triglycerides. Commercially, it can be manufactured from plant oils (soy, palm, coconut, or rapeseed) or recovered as a byproduct of rendering animal carcass tallow. Unless specified as 'vegetable glycerine' or certified vegan, source verification is required.

Guar gum is extracted from the ground endosperm of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). 100% plant-based thickening and stabilizing agent.

Isinglass is a collagen substance obtained from the dried swim bladders of fish. It is traditionally added to cask ales and wines to accelerate clarification.

L-Cysteine (E920/E921) is a semi-essential amino acid used as an industrial dough conditioner to relax gluten networks. Historically and commercially, the majority of global L-cysteine is extracted through acid hydrolysis of duck and poultry feathers or hog hair from slaughterhouses. Although modern microbial fermentation (bacterial biosynthesis) and synthetic routes exist, food ingredient labels almost never disclose the raw biological source without third-party vegan certification.

Lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing sheep. It is washed from sheep wool after shearing.

Lecithin (E322) is a generic term for a mixture of amphiphilic phospholipids and triglycerides. Over 95% of commercial food-grade lecithin is extracted mechanically and enzymatically from plant seeds, specifically soybeans, sunflower seeds, and rapeseed (canola). While lecithin was originally discovered in egg yolks (from the Greek lekithos), egg-derived lecithin is significantly more expensive and mandatory allergen labeling laws require it to be explicitly labeled as 'egg lecithin'.

E471 emulsifiers can be synthesized from plant oils (soy, palm, sunflower) or animal fats (tallow, lard). Unless specified as vegetable-derived, source is ambiguous.

Pectin (E440) is a structural heteropolysaccharide naturally present in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. Commercially, it is extracted exclusively from citrus peels (lemons, limes, oranges) and apple pomace byproducts of fruit juice processing. It is 100% plant-derived and inherently vegan.

Red 40 (Allura Red AC / E129) is a synthetic azo dye manufactured from petroleum distillates and coal tar. It contains NO animal ingredients and is NOT made from crushed insects (which is Carmine / E120).

Traditional rennet is an enzyme complex harvested from the fourth stomach (abomasum) of slaughtered unweaned calves. Microbial or vegetable rennet is vegan.

Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac insect (Kerria lacca) onto trees in India and Thailand. The harvesting process results in the death of many insects.

Standard commercial Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesized by extracting 7-dehydrocholesterol from the greasy lanolin oil of sheep's wool and exposing it to ultraviolet light, making conventional D3 animal-derived. However, modern 100% vegan Vitamin D3 sustainably harvested from wild-grown lichens (such as Cladonia rangiferina / reindeer lichen) or algae is identical in bioavailability and completely cruelty-free.

Traditional Worcestershire sauce is NOT vegan because it contains fermented anchovies (fish). However, certified vegan Worcestershire sauces made with soy sauce, tamarind, and apple cider vinegar are widely available.

Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide produced through the fermentation of glucose or sucrose by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. 100% vegan.

Yeast is a single-celled eukaryotic microorganism classified under the kingdom Fungi (the same kingdom as mushrooms). Yeasts do not belong to the animal kingdom, have no central nervous system, and are 100% vegan.