Skip to content 
As veganism grows in popularity, many of us are becoming more aware of obvious animal products in our food and lifestyle choices. However, some sneaky animal-derived ingredients can slip into products we might assume are vegan. Let’s explore five common items that aren’t always vegan-friendly and discover some great plant-based alternatives.
1. Wine: Not Just Grapes in Your Glass
Many wine lovers are surprised to learn that their favorite Cabernet or Chardonnay may not be vegan. While wine is made from grapes, many winemakers use animal-derived fining agents to clarify the wine and remove sediment. These can include:
- Isinglass (from fish bladders)
- Gelatin (from animal bones)
- Egg whites
- Casein (milk protein)
Non-vegan examples: Many popular brands like Yellow Tail, Barefoot, and Sutter Home use animal-derived fining agents.Vegan alternatives: Look for wines labeled as “unfined” or specifically marked vegan. Brands like Frey Vineyards, Lumos Wine, and Red Truck Winery offer certified vegan options.
2. Gummy Candies: A Gelatin Surprise
Those colorful, chewy gummy bears and other similar candies often contain a hidden animal ingredient: gelatin. Derived from animal bones, skin, and connective tissues, gelatin gives gummies their signature texture.Non-vegan examples: Haribo Gummy Bears, Starburst, and most mainstream gummy candies contain gelatin
Vegan alternatives: Look for gummies made with plant-based thickeners like pectin or agar-agar. Brands such as Surf Sweets, Annie’s Organic Homegrown Fruit Snacks, and Squish Candies offer vegan-friendly options
3. Sugar: The Bone Char Dilemma
Surprisingly, not all sugar is vegan. In the United States, some white cane sugar is processed using bone char (made from cattle bones) to achieve its bright white color
Non-vegan examples: Many major sugar brands in the US use this process, though it’s not always clear from the packaging.Vegan alternatives: Choose organic sugar, which is never processed with bone char. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill and Trader Joe’s offer vegan-friendly organic sugar options
4. Breakfast Cereals: Hidden Animal Fortification
Your morning bowl of cereal might not be as innocent as you think. Many fortified cereals contain vitamin D3 derived from sheep’s wool (lanolin)
5. Shoes and Accessories: Leather in Disguise
While it’s easy to spot obvious leather products, some shoes and accessories may contain leather components without explicitly mentioning it.
Non-vegan examples: Many mainstream shoe brands use leather in parts of their shoes, even if the main material is synthetic.
Vegan alternatives: Seek out brands that specifically label their products as vegan. Companies like Adidas, Dr. Martens ,Will’s Vegan Shoes, Matt & Nat, and Vegetarian Shoes offer stylish, cruelty-free options.By being aware of these hidden animal products, we can make more informed choices in our vegan journey. Always check labels, research brands, and don’t hesitate to reach out to companies for clarification. With the growing demand for vegan products, more animal-free alternatives are becoming available every day, making it easier than ever to live a compassionate, cruelty-free lifestyle.
