Vegan and vegetarian labelling

In short: Vegetarian means without meat and fish, vegan without any animal products. In the EU there is no binding legal definition, but there is a recommendation.

In more detail: In 2016 the German consumer protection ministers’ conference agreed definitions: vegan foods contain no animal products, including additives, flavourings and processing aids. Accidental trace material is harmless under good practice.

Our context: The product scanner shows the database’s analysis hints (“vegan”, “non vegan”, “maybe vegetarian”).

In Depth

• V-Label: the European seal of the vegetarian unions with a sunflower (vegan) and a leaf (vegetarian).
• Hidden animal substances: gelatine (E441), carmine (E120, from insects), shellac (E904), beeswax (E901), rennet, whey, honey, vitamin D3 from wool.
• Vegan ≠ healthy: A vegan product can still contain a lot of sugar, fat and additives.
• Nutrients: Vitamin B12 must be supplemented on a vegan diet.

See also: Organic labels and food labels, E numbers (food additives)