Shopping and labels
How do you read a label for vegan shopping?
Short answer
Check ingredients and allergens (milk, egg), E-numbers (E120, E904), gelatin on the list, and a vegan mark. “Plant-based” and “vegetarian” are not the same as vegan.
Learn a few key words: milk, egg, whey, casein, gelatin, honey, E120, E904. In the EU, allergens are in bold – a quick filter.
Do not trust front-of-pack claims like “natural” or “plant-based” – read the fine print. Scanning apps help but can be out of date. The safest bet is a V-Label or The Vegan Society mark. No logo does not mean it is not vegan – sometimes the producer just does not pay for certification.