10 Foods That You May Think Are Vegan But Are Not

The rising popularity of veganism has made finding plant-based foods to eat incredibly easy compared to how it used to be a couple of years ago. However, the problem lies within the hidden ingredients that you may not recognize. Many animal by-products are added into food products that may seem vegan at first glance. When you’re walking down the aisles in a supermarket and go to grab orange juice or your favorite candy, you may want to watch out for some sneaky ingredients that you have not considered checking before. Some of these ingredients include omega 3’s, or fish oil, gelatin, which is made from animal collagen, or carmine, made from the bodies of cochineal beetles. Once you learn about which ingredients to avoid, finding vegan products will be a breeze. If you’re still unsure about a product, you can always look for the certified vegan logo to be safe.

Now, let’s take a look at 10 products that you may think are vegan but are not always.

1. White Sugar

Source: BiteSizeVegan.org/Youtube

While it may seem like a no-brainer that sugar is vegan, it’s not always the case. Not all sugar is vegan, as it may contain animal-derived ingredients. White table sugar originally comes from stalks of sugarcane. However, it is not considered vegan because of its coloration process. The refining process of sugar involves the use of bone char, and it’s what gives sugar its white color. Beet sugar, maple syrup, and unrefined or raw organic sugar products are great plant-based alternatives that taste just as sweet!

2. Non-Dairy Creamers

Dairy-free labels may sometimes be misleading. Not all dairy-free creamers are vegan, as they may contain animal-derived products. Typically, creamers are made from a mixture of corn syrup, vegetable oil, lecithin, sugars, cacao, nuts, coconut, and other flavorings. Casein, a protein found in cow’s milk is a common ingredient used in creamers that is labeled as sodium caseinate. Another non-vegan ingredient to look out for is lecithin, a fat that is sometimes derived from eggs. It is best to read each ingredient when buying a dairy-free creamer to ensure that it is 100 percent plant-based!

3. Alcohol

Source: BiteSizeVegan.org/Youtube

Animal-derived ingredients can hide in all sorts of products, and alcoholic beverages are no exception. Animal products may be used during processing or included in the drink itself. When looking for a vegan beer, make sure to avoid ingredients like isinglass and gelatin, which are animal product fining agents, as well as whey, lactose, and honey. If you’re looking for vegan wine, you want to avoid ingredients like carmine for coloring or isinglass, gelatin, albumin, and casein. Many alcoholic beverages are naturally vegan, but it’s always best to double-check!

4. Red Colored Foods

Bright red-colored foods often come from Carmine, which is made from beetles. “The pigment is produced by drying, crushing, and then boiling the bodies of cochineal beetles to extract carminic acid.” On food labels, it is often listed as cochineal extract, crimson lake, natural red 4, and E120. Not only is It found in red sweets, but can also be found in cosmetics and household items. Luckily, many brands are starting to avoid carmine, but it’s best to check labels for the vegan logo.

5. Worcestershire sauce

Worcestershire is a popular fermented sauce that originated in Worcestershire, England. While it may resemble a mix between ketchup and barbecue sauce, many traditional recipes for Worcestershire sauce include anchovies. Luckily, there are many vegan-friendly brands and condiments available to choose from.

6. Miso Soup

Miso soup is made from miso, which is a fermented paste that’s made by inoculating a mixture of soybeans with a mold called koji. Miso paste is generally considered vegan, but the miso soup may sometimes contain katsuobushi dashi, a stock containing katsuobushi or bonito flakes. These flakes are derived from fish, tuna in particular. However, there are vegan versions containing a plant-based stock.

7. Kimchi

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish consisting of salted and fermented vegetables. This dish includes radish, napa cabbage, and a wide variety of seasonings. While it may appear to be vegan, the seasoning contains ingredients from marine animals. Fish sauce is commonly used to flavor vegetables. However, many delicious vegan versions are just as flavorful!

8. Omega-3 Fortified Products

Omega-3s are usually derived from fish, anchovies in particular, and can hide in many food and drink products that we would normally assume are vegan. Orange juice is one of the products that’s sometimes marketed as containing omega-3 fatty acids. When choosing a plant-based orange juice, avoid ingredients like tilapia, sardine, and anchovy in the ingredients.

9. Pesto Sauce

Pesto is a basil-based sauce that comes from northwest Italy. Sadly, it is traditionally made with Parmesan cheese. If you see pesto on a menu, it’s best to check if it contains cheese or not. Luckily, there are many vegan versions of this delicious sauce that do not contain animal milk now widely available.

10. Candy

Source: World of Vegan/Youtube

Many sweets like gummies, sour candies, and marshmallows often contain gelatin. Gelatin is derived from animal collagen and is made by boiling the skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of cows and pigs. It’s what gives candies a glossy coating. When buying candy, make sure to avoid gelatin in the ingredients list or look for the vegan symbol on the package.

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