Food additives are found in many foods and many are of animal origin. In Europe these have to be declared in lists of ingredients, and are referred to as ‘E numbers’. E120, for example, is a food colouring made from crushed insects! E numbers are also increasingly used on food labelling to in other parts of the world, including the United States. Below is a list of those additives / E numbers that are almost always from animal sources. However many other additives can be made from animal sources or from plant-based sources, and so the only real way to ensure something’s vegan is to look for a recognised vegan trademark, or contact the manufacturer. The following E numbers almost always come from animal sources. E120: Carmine, also known as cochineal, carminic acid or natural red 4. Crushed up beetles used as red food colouring E441: Gelatine. A gelling agent made from ground up animal bone and skin, often found in confectionary E542: Bone phosphate. Ground up animal bones used to keep foods moist E901: Beeswax. As the name suggests, this is wax that’s made by bees, and is used as a glazing agent E904: Shellac. Another glazing agent, made from the secretions of an insect called the lac bug E910, E920, E921: L-cysteine and its derivatives. Made from animal hair and feathers, these additives are found in some breads as an improving agent E913: Lanolin. A greasy substance secreted by sheep and other woolly animals. While mostly used in cosmetics, it’s also often used to make vitamin D3, rendering many multi-vitamins and fortified foods unsuitable for vegans E966: Lactitol. A sweetener derived from lactose, which is made from milk For more information on all things Vegan, help and advice check out https://veganuary.com/https://www.vegansociety.com/Source for this blog https://veganuary.com/
