Animal By-products
Listed below are the most common animal by-products that should be avoided when providing for vegans
- Albumen or Albumin
- Water-soluble proteins found in egg white, cows’ milk and blood
- Amino Acid
- "Building blocks" of protein. Can be derived from animal and non-animal sources
- Beeswax
- Secretion from bees
- Bonemeal
- Ground animal bones
- Carmine or Carminic Acid (Cochineal E120)
- Red dye made from insects
- Casein
- Comes from cows’ milk products
- Chitin
- Comes from insects and crustacea
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Comes from lanolin (sheeps’ wool) or fish oil
- Gelatine
- Comes from boiling animal skin and bone
- Glycerine or Glycol
- Clear liquid made from animal fat
- Honey
- Made by bees
- Lactic Acid
- Produced by fermenting cows’ milk sugar
- Lactose
- Sugar found in cows’ milk
- Lecithin (E322)
- Derived from egg yolk
- Lanolin
- Fat from sheep's wool
- Propolis
- Glue used by bees in hives
- Rennet
- Extract from calves’ stomachs
- Royal Jelly
- Comes from bees
- Shellac (E904)
- Comes from insects
- Tallow
- Hard animal fat
- Whey
- Residue from cows’ milk
Casein, glycerol, lactose, lecithin and suet can now sometimes be produced which are suitable for vegans. These products are mostly only obtainable from health food suppliers.
Information should always be obtained, in writing, from the manufacturer concerned, to confirm their suitability for vegans.