Hidden Non-Vegetarian Ingredients

Animal-Derived Foods in Unexpected Places

© Jill Harris

Jun 10, 2008

Deciphering which ingredients are vegetarian and vegan can feel like a full-time job, especially when eating at restaurants or at friends' houses.

Vegetarians Have a Comfort Zone

Every vegetarian and vegan has their own comfort level when it comes to animal products in their food.

Vegetarians need to decide how strict they will be. Those who cook for vegetarians needs to know ahead of time what is and is not acceptable.

Some ingredients listed here (like dairy products) may be suitable for vegetarians, but not for vegans. Some vegetarians might feel okay with rennet (derived from cows' stomachs), while other may not.

To avoid problems when planning a meal for a vegetarian, check ahead to confirm what that person is comfortable eating.

List of Hidden Animal Foods

This is a list of common (and some not-so-common) foods that contain hidden animal products, followed by which non-vegetarian ingredient they contain.

This list does not include common foods that are universally avoided by vegetarians/vegans.For example, vegans do not eat butter and vegetarians do not eat fish. To brush up on what defines vegetarianism and veganism, read What is a Vegetarian?

The ingredients in packaged foods may change regularly. When in doubt, read the label for the most up-to-date manufacturing information.

Canned Goods and Non-Perishables

• Soup base / stock / bouillon: meat or fish fat
• Vegetable soup: meat or poultry broth
• Worcestershire sauce: anchovies
• Lard: solid animal fat
• Caesar salad / dressing: anchovies, possibly bacon
• Refried beans: lard
• Beans in tomato sauce: pork

Bakery, Bread and Crackers

• Crackers: may contain animal-derived enzymes
• Amino L-cysteine: derived from animal hair or feathers
• Whey protein: a milk product
• Omega-3 enriched bread: may contain fish oil

Candy, Desserts and Confectionary

• Marshmallows: gelatin (made from animal bones)
• Hard / chewy candies like Skittles or Starburst brands: gelatin
• Jell-o or gelatin desserts: gelatin
• White sugar: filtered using animal bone char
• Pie crusts: store-bought and some homemade contain lard and/or butter

Produce

• Apples, candy apples: shiny read coating made from beetles (carmine)
• Caesar salad (pre-packaged): anchovies, possibly bacon

Dairy/Frozen/Refrigerated Products

• Frozen hash brown potatoes: some contain lard
• Yogurt or sour cream (especially low-fat brands): gelatin
• DHA-enriched products (for example; milk, orange juice, margarine, cheese, bread but not omega-3 eggs): gelatin
• Cheese: rennet (scraped from the stomachs of baby cows)
• Margarine: gelatin, whey powder, casein
• Soy cheese: most contain casein (a milk protein) to help them melt

Beverages

• Beer
• Wine

Note: not all beers and wines are made using animal products, but those that do, do not list it on the label. No animal ingredients are present in the final product (beer, wine) but some are filtered with animal products like isinglass.

• Bloody Mary cocktail: anchovies (in Worcestershire sauce)
• Bloody Caesar cocktails: clam juice and anchovies (in Worcestershire sauce)
• Fruitopia brand drinks: some flavours contain carmine (crushed insects) as a colouring

Other

• Medications: anything listed as a "gel-cap" contains gelatin
• Medications: red colouring in capsules may contain carmine
• “Natural colour”; “Natural flavour”: may be animal- derived (such as beef broth) or vegetable-derived. The source does not have to be specified on the label.

Non-Food Items

For many, vegetarianism and veganism extend beyond food to clothing and lifestyle. Many do not use:

• Leather, fur: animal skin, pelt
• Down bedding/comforters and pillows: duck or goose feathers
• Soap: most contain animal fat (sodium tallowate)

Desserts are a Common Hiding Spot for Gelatin

Desserts are a Common Hiding Spot for Gelatin

Margarines can contain whey, casein or gelatin

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