Vegan ingredient checker: what to look for

Milk and dairy derivatives

Look for milk, butter, cream, cheese, whey, casein, caseinate, lactose, milk solids, and milk powder. In the US, milk used as an ingredient is a major allergen and should be identified on the label. “Non-dairy” language does not automatically answer every vegan question, so read the ingredients.

Egg ingredients

Egg, albumen, egg white, egg yolk, and some forms of ovalbumin are not vegan. Egg is also a US major allergen when used as an ingredient.

Gelatin, collagen, and animal fats

Gelatin and collagen are animal-derived. Lard, tallow, suet, and explicitly named animal fats are not vegan. Broth, stock, and shortening need source context.

Honey, beeswax, shellac, and confectioner's glaze

Honey and beeswax are bee products. Shellac and confectioner's glaze can be insect-derived coatings used on candy, fruit, pills, or other products.

Carmine and cochineal

Carmine and cochineal extract are insect-derived red colorants. The FDA requires those names to be declared when used in food, making them searchable on a label.

Ingredients with variable sources

Some mono- and diglycerides, stearates, glycerin, vitamin D forms, enzymes, flavorings, and other additives can have different sources. A name alone may not resolve the question. A vegan certification or manufacturer response is stronger evidence.

How Veg AI helps

Take a sharp photo of the ingredient list. Veg AI can provide a quick assessment and highlight information that deserves review. If the result depends on an ambiguous additive, contact the manufacturer instead of treating the scan as proof.