There are some foods you would think would be vegan but, in fact, when you begin to understand ingredients, you’ll see that they are not.

Following on from my last post regarding the labelling of ingredients I thought I’d compile a list of foods that have animal by-products hiding within.

I wonder how many of these veggie-imposters will surprise you?

1. Beer and Wine, of which most use isinglass in the clarification or fining process. Isinglass is a byproduct of fish swim bladders. It is the last step in the process and is removed before bottling, but traces can remain.
2. Fruit Juice frequently contains Vitamin D. This is usually derived from lanolin (sheep oil). It can contain Omega-3 sourced from fish oil, and gelatine a protein derived from skin, tendons, ligaments and/or bones. Apple juice is often clarified using isinglass (refer above to Beer and Wine).
   

   The making of gelitine

3. Enhanced Breads, you should read the ingredients as like the juices it may include Omega-3 from fish oil. Commercially baked goods may also contain non-vegan ingredients such as milk, eggs, butter, whey, and honey.
4. Boxed Cake Mix uses beef fat, also called lard, as a common ingredient. Also check for dairy and/or eggs. Can also be also present in many cakes, cupcakes, and cookies.
5. Bagels use a dough conditioner “enzyme L. Cysteine”, commonly sourced from duck and chicken feathers. It’s used in other processed bread products, particularly those served in fast food outlets. (Dunkin Donuts, Pizza Hut  and McDonald’s  all admit to the practice respectively in their donuts, garlic bread, and apple pie.)
6. White Sugar is typically listed only with “sugar” as an ingredient, but most processed sugar (including brown and confectioner’s) is whitened by a process that uses bone char.
7. Red Candy and most any food that’s coloured red contains pigments extracted from the female Dactylopius coccus costa.  This red bug dye is typically listed as cochineal, carminic acid or carmine in the ingredients. It is found in candy, wine, vinegar, juice and even coloured pasta. Many candies are also coated with shellac, a resin excreted by the lac bug, which is usually listed as “confectioner’s glaze:”.
8. Soups, particularly those prepared in restaurant kitchens, are usually made with stock made from chicken, beef, or fish. Canned vegetable soups can also contain animal stock and gelatin thickeners.
9. Salad Dressings in restaurants often start with bacon fat for added flavour, undermining the classic vegan go-to in restaurants. Caesar dressing contains anchovies, and creamy dressings often include not only dairy but also gelatin.
10. BBQ-Flavored Chips. Most brands of BBQ-flavored chips get their punch from chicken fat.
11. Worcestershire Sauce is made with anchovies a saltwater forage fish. (You can get a vegan version).
12. Packaged Peanuts, high in quality protein, these are an easy snack, but beware of gelatin coatings.
13. Breath Mints, Gummy Bears, Marshmallows, Jello and Fruit Jellies frequently contain gelatin along with the red being from cochineal (see above).
14. E635 is a flavour enhancer. It is usually produced from meat, but commercially it may be obtained from Torula Yeast. So if you see it you’re best to put the product back on the shelf.

There are still many more sneaky ingredients in unsuspected items, so the main takeaway from this list is for you to read the ingredients and start to know what is animal and what is not.

Until next time…

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