It pays to read the label

In New Zealand, lots of additives in our foods are derived from animal products.  It pays to read and understand the labels.  There are a number of free apps available to download on your phone which makes shopping a whole lot easier.  If you're not sure, just enter in the additive numbers and voila!

I use the app called 'Food Additives' ...

Some common things to look for when you're grocery shopping:

Fats and Oils

Tallow, lard, suet are all animals fats. Beef fat is often found in bought pastry and biscuits.  Check the label - some budget brands are vegan friendly, and Pak'n'save even sell gluten-free and vegan friendly puff pastry!

Margarine

Margarine may contain whey* (a by-product of cheese-making) and E471 (which may be derived from fish oil or animal fat).  Go for a plant-based option like a nut spread or olive spread.  You can use this in place of butter in your baking, cooking and as a spread.

Cheese (if you're vegetarian, rather than vegan)

Cheese made from animal rennet is not vegetarian as animal rennet is an enzyme extracted from the stomach of slaughtered calves. Cheese produced with enzymes from plants or micro-organisms (i.e. microbial rennet or vegetable rennilaise) is vegetarian.  Most vegetarian friendly cheese in New Zealand is labelled non-animal rennet.  Better still - go for a vegan brand that uses no animal derived product, such as Angel-Food Cheese (check out the tab on this blog called Alternatives)

Whey*

Acid whey is vegetarian. Whey from cheese or casein making using animal derived rennet is not.

Gelatine - see previous post here

Gelatine is a by-product derived from collagen extracted from the skin, bones and connective tissues of animals.  It is used as a gelling and firming agent.  Commonly found in marshmallow, desserts, ice cream, yoghurt, dips, gummy candy and chocolates.  Often used in capsules too - check label to see if your vitamins are vegetarian friendly.

Gravies and Stock

Many liquid, cube and powdered stocks and gravy mixes contain meat, chicken or fish extract. There are some good ones which don’t, so check the labels.  Massels have a good, animal product free ranges of stocks.

Worcester Sauce

Often contains anchovies which are a fish.

Fruit Juices

Some juices are clarified using gelatine - check the label.

Additives and Preservatives to look out for ... those pesky numbers!

E120 – Cochineal (Carmine)  A red dye derived from a crushed scale insect.

E433 – Emulsifier Derived from animal fat.

E542 – Edible bone phosphate Derived from animal bones.

E640 – Glycine Produced from gelatin.

E901 – Beeswax Used as a glazing agent.

E904 – Shellac, Lac Derived from the Lac insect. Used as a glazing agent.

E920 – L-cystein monohydrochloride Derived from animal hair and chicken feathers. Flour treatment agents used in breads. Commonly used in supermarket bakery breads and rolls to keep them soft and fresh.  Go for the sour dough/ciabatta  type breads which do not usually have it in.

E966 – Lactitol – Derived from whey (milk)

*E1105    Lysozyme        Commercially prepared from chicken eggs or bacteria.

Information on this page is  from the NZ Vegetarian Society page and the Food Additive App.