Categorical Taxonomy Hub

Supplement

Explore 3 ingredients and additives classified under Supplement. Check forensic animal derivations, E-numbers, and verified plant swaps.

2

100% Plant-Based

0

Animal Derived

1

Check Required

All Supplement (3)

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on molasses, harvested, washed, and dried with heat.

Spirulina

✓ Vegan

Spirulina is a nutrient-dense blue-green microalga cultivated in fresh alkaline water ponds. 100% plant-based superfood containing ~57g protein per 100g.

Vitamin D3

⚠ Check

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.

Understanding Supplement in Plant-Based Diets

Biochemical Origins & Production

Ingredients in the Supplement category can stem from plant crops, microbial fermentation, mineral synthesis, or animal byproducts. In modern industrial food processing, identical chemical compounds are frequently produced via both botanical and animal extraction routes.

When an ingredient has dual-source origin (such as glycerin, mono- and diglycerides, or stearic acid), vegan certification or direct manufacturer confirmation is necessary to ensure 100% plant or synthetic origin.

Label Reading & Ingredient Scrutiny

Food labeling regulations in major jurisdictions (including US FDA 21 CFR and EU Regulation 1169/2011) do not require manufacturers to disclose whether processing aids or multi-source carriers contain animal byproducts.

Always look for explicit "Suitable for Vegans" or "Certified Plant-Based" seals on packaged food products containing items flagged as Check Required.

Scan a Full Product Label

Paste any ingredient list from a package to instantly detect animal byproducts, E-numbers, and ambiguous additives with our live Ingredient Checker.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are in the Supplement category?
This directory catalogs 3 verified items including Nutritional Yeast, Spirulina, Vitamin D3 with documented vegan statuses and scientific provenance.
How do I know if an item in Supplement is vegan?
Each item is color-coded: Green (100% plant-derived), Red (animal-derived slaughter or secretion byproduct), and Amber (dual-source additive requiring manufacturer verification).