Vegan Ingredient & Additive Glossary
Comprehensive forensic chemical glossary classifying industrial food additives, E-numbers, processing aids, and hidden animal derivatives by their raw manufacturing origin.
Which common food additives are secretly non-vegan?
Agar-Agar (E406)
VEGANRaw Origin: Red marine algae / seaweed
Natural gelling agent replacing animal gelatin in jellies, gummies, and desserts.
Albumin / Egg Albumin
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Egg whites / Animal blood plasma
Protein binder commonly used in non-vegan processed baked goods, protein powders, and wine fining.
Allura Red (Red 40 / E129)
VEGANRaw Origin: Petroleum / synthetic chemical synthesis
Synthetic azo food dye. Vegan, but distinct from insect-derived Carmine.
Beeswax (E901)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Honeycomb secretions of honeybees
Glazing agent on fruit, confectionery, and lip balms. Vegan alternatives: Candelilla or Carnauba wax.
Bone Char (Natural Carbon)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Pyrolyzed cattle pelvic bones
Decolorizing filter used in commercial cane sugar refining. Avoid by choosing certified organic or beet sugar.
Carmine / Cochineal (E120)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Crushed female cochineal scale insects
Crimson food dye in candies, yogurts, and cosmetics. Vegan alternatives: Beetroot red (E162) or Red 40.
Carrageenan (E407)
VEGANRaw Origin: Edible red seaweed polysaccharides
Emulsifier and thickener in plant milks, vegan cheeses, and desserts.
Casein / Caseinate
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Mammalian dairy milk protein (80% of milk protein)
Used in non-dairy creamers and processed cheeses. Strictly dairy-derived.
Curcumin (E100)
VEGANRaw Origin: Turmeric rhizome botanical extract
Natural yellow-gold food coloring and antioxidant with high bioavailability.
Gelatin (E441)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Boiled animal skin, tendons, and bones (collagen)
Gelling agent in marshmallows, gummy candies, and capsules. Vegan alternatives: Agar-agar, pectin.
Glycerine / Glycerol (E422)
MAY BE NON VEGANRaw Origin: Plant oils OR Animal tallow hydrolysis
Humectant and sweetener. Requires verification as 100% vegetable glycerine.
Isinglass
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Dried swim bladders of sturgeon and fish
Fining agent used in traditional beer and wine clarification. Vegan alternative: Bentonite clay or pea protein.
L-Cysteine (E920)
MAY BE NON VEGANRaw Origin: Duck feathers / human hair OR microbial fermentation
Dough conditioner in commercial breads. Certified organic and synthetic forms are vegan.
Lanolin (E913)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Sebaceous wax secretion from sheep wool
Precursor for non-vegan Vitamin D3. Vegan alternative: Lichen-derived Vitamin D3.
Lecithin (E322)
USUALLY VEGANRaw Origin: Soybeans, sunflower seeds, or egg yolks
Emulsifier in chocolate and margarine. Sunflower and soy lecithin are 100% plant-based.
Mono- and Diglycerides (E471)
MAY BE NON VEGANRaw Origin: Vegetable fats OR Animal slaughterhouse fats
Emulsifier in breads, peanut butter, and baked goods. Look for "vegetable-derived" notation.
Pectin (E440)
VEGANRaw Origin: Citrus peels and apple pomace cell walls
Natural structural plant polysaccharide used to set jams, fruit spreads, and vegan gummies.
Rennet
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Enzymes from Fourth stomach of unweaned calves
Coagulating enzyme for cheese. Vegan alternatives: Microbial rennet or plant enzymes.
Shellac (Confectioner’s Glaze / E904)
NOT VEGANRaw Origin: Resinous secretion of female lac insects
Hard glossy coating on jelly beans, chocolate-covered nuts, and citrus fruits.
Xanthan Gum (E415)
VEGANRaw Origin: Bacterial fermentation of glucose (Xanthomonas campestris)
Stabilizer and binder in gluten-free vegan baking, salad dressings, and sauces.
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Substitution Chart→
Kitchen-tested 1:1 culinary conversion ratios.
Protein Database→
Complete USDA laboratory nutrient dataset.