How to check if packaged food is vegan
Start with the allergen Contains statement: if it lists milk, egg, fish or shellfish, the product isn't vegan. Then check the ingredients for less obvious animal products: gelatin, carmine (cochineal), shellac (confectioner's glaze), casein, whey, isinglass, lard and honey. A certified vegan mark is the quickest confirmation.
1. Use the Contains statement as a shortcut
On US packaged foods, milk, egg, fish and crustacean shellfish have to be declared as allergens. If the Contains statement or a bracketed source names any of them, the product isn't vegan. If it doesn't, keep reading, because many animal ingredients aren't allergens.
2. Check for animal ingredients that aren't allergens
| Ingredient | Where it comes from |
|---|---|
| Gelatin | Animal skin and bones |
| Carmine, cochineal (E120) | A red color made from insects |
| Shellac, confectioner's glaze | A coating made from lac insect secretions |
| Isinglass | Fish bladders, used to clarify some drinks |
| Lard, tallow, suet | Animal fat |
| Honey, beeswax | Bees (most vegans avoid them) |
| Casein, whey, lactose | Milk |
| Albumin, lysozyme | Egg |
3. Watch for ingredients that can go either way
Some ingredients can be made from plants or animals, and the label rarely says which: mono- and diglycerides, natural flavors, vitamin D3 and L-cysteine are common examples. If the source matters to you, ask the manufacturer or look for a certified vegan mark.
Checking vegan with SafeScan
Add vegan or vegetarian to your profile. SafeScan checks every scan against its ingredient dictionary, flags animal-derived ingredients and explains each match. Scan the label for products that aren't in the database.
This guide is general information based on US labeling rules, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or allergist about your own allergies, and always read the label on the package in your hand.
SafeScan checks vegan and vegetarian
Add vegan or vegetarian to your profile and SafeScan flags milk, egg, gelatin, carmine, shellac and other animal-derived ingredients, with an explanation for each one.
Download on the App StoreFree to download for iPhone and iPad. No account needed, and your profiles and scan history stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
Is "dairy-free" the same as vegan?
No. A dairy-free product can still contain egg, gelatin, honey or other animal ingredients.
Are natural flavors vegan?
They can come from plant or animal sources, and the label usually doesn't say which. Contact the manufacturer if it matters to you.
Is sugar vegan?
Sugar itself is plant-based, but some cane sugar is filtered with bone char. That isn't shown on the label, so some vegans choose certified vegan or organic sugar.