Alcohol
If you are reading this, you probably don't know if alcohol is vegan. Well, the sad news it that not all alcohol is vegan (or vegetarian friendly for that matter). Part of the production process of beer and wine involves clarification, which is basically removing insoluble materials that may cloud the beverage. Clarification can occur naturally over time as insoluble products settle. This is a very time consuming process, so manufacturers have turned to fining agents to speed up this process.
Fining agents speed up the removal of insoluble products. While a number of products can be used, most compounds used in this process are animal based. The most popular fining agent would be isinglass, which is obtained from fish bladders.
Further information on commonly used fining agents such as isinglass can be found on our website
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Not All Soy Cheeses are Made Equal
Whether it be for the taste of the cheeses, or the fear of soy, chances are you’ve overheard a ‘beware of soy cheese‘ conversation. The Vegan Detective is offering another reason to be careful while eating/purchasing soy cheese: many of them are not vegan! Yes, that correct. Some companies produce “cheese” made from soy or rice milk, only to ruin it by adding casein.
For example, Yves Mac N Soy Cheese, contains Casein. As does Okanagan’s Soya Co.’s Cheddar Loaf. Before you vegans lose faith in all cheese alternatives, there are many vegan slices, toppings, and blocks available. Always double check and read the label. Remember, just because it contains soy, doesn’t make it vegan.
Unsure of an ingedients origins? Look it up on our website.
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
For example, Yves Mac N Soy Cheese, contains Casein. As does Okanagan’s Soya Co.’s Cheddar Loaf. Before you vegans lose faith in all cheese alternatives, there are many vegan slices, toppings, and blocks available. Always double check and read the label. Remember, just because it contains soy, doesn’t make it vegan.
Unsure of an ingedients origins? Look it up on our website.
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
Beware of Hidden Animal Ingredients
While you might think you are safe, animal ingredients can pop up in many common foods you eat without you knowing it! The following is a list of ingredients and products to watch out for!
Cheese
Obviously, cheese is not vegan friendly. However, what many people fail to realize is that many cheeses aren’t vegetarian friendly either. Most cheeses are made using rennet. Rennet is basically a group of enzymes typically sourced from cow stomach lining. Rennet is used to coagulate milk in the formation of cheese. There are vegetarian sources of coagulating agents. Therefore, some cheeses are suitable for vegetarians.
Wine and Beer
Although seemingly innocuous, many beers and wines use animal products in the production. Isinglass, a collagen formed from fish bladders is commonly used in the clarification of many beers and wines. Other animal products are sometimes used in this process. Fear not, many wines and beers are vegan friendly! If you have concerns about a few of your favourites, you can always email them. I comprehensive list will be made available soon!
Margarine
Margarine is another seemily vegan friendly product. Unfortunately, many margarines contain whey and/or casein. Whey and casein are proteins derived from milk, and thus, not vegan friendly.
Breads and Baked Goods
Many breads are vegan friendly. However, some have whey and/or casein added to them. Its also best to check the ingredients before purchasing. Baked goods can have all sorts of animal products added to them. Again, its always best to read the label, or check with the bakery.
Foods With Added Colour
Some colours added to foods are derived from animals. Therefore, any food that has colour added to is, is at risk of not being vegan or vegetarian friendly. Check out our alphabetical list to compare ingredients
Sauces and Broths
Beware of hidden animal ingredients in these products. Many broths are unfortunately made using chicken or other animals (even seemily vegetarian appearing products like curry may have a chick broth base). Always read labels and ask your servers if you’re out to eat.
If eating out at a restaurant, be sure to find out if the salad dressing or pasta sauce contains cheese.
Vitamins
Some, but not all vitamins may be sources from animals. Always read labels when purchasing a vitamin. They should indicate if they are vegetarian friendly. If you are unsure of vitamins added to the foods you are eating, look it up on www.vegandetective.com
Veggie Burgers
Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately, egg whites and some milk proteins have made their way into veggie burgers. While these are fine for vegetarians, vegans should always read ingredients and ask servers prior to consumption!
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
Cheese
Obviously, cheese is not vegan friendly. However, what many people fail to realize is that many cheeses aren’t vegetarian friendly either. Most cheeses are made using rennet. Rennet is basically a group of enzymes typically sourced from cow stomach lining. Rennet is used to coagulate milk in the formation of cheese. There are vegetarian sources of coagulating agents. Therefore, some cheeses are suitable for vegetarians.
Wine and Beer
Although seemingly innocuous, many beers and wines use animal products in the production. Isinglass, a collagen formed from fish bladders is commonly used in the clarification of many beers and wines. Other animal products are sometimes used in this process. Fear not, many wines and beers are vegan friendly! If you have concerns about a few of your favourites, you can always email them. I comprehensive list will be made available soon!
Margarine
Margarine is another seemily vegan friendly product. Unfortunately, many margarines contain whey and/or casein. Whey and casein are proteins derived from milk, and thus, not vegan friendly.
Breads and Baked Goods
Many breads are vegan friendly. However, some have whey and/or casein added to them. Its also best to check the ingredients before purchasing. Baked goods can have all sorts of animal products added to them. Again, its always best to read the label, or check with the bakery.
Foods With Added Colour
Some colours added to foods are derived from animals. Therefore, any food that has colour added to is, is at risk of not being vegan or vegetarian friendly. Check out our alphabetical list to compare ingredients
Sauces and Broths
Beware of hidden animal ingredients in these products. Many broths are unfortunately made using chicken or other animals (even seemily vegetarian appearing products like curry may have a chick broth base). Always read labels and ask your servers if you’re out to eat.
If eating out at a restaurant, be sure to find out if the salad dressing or pasta sauce contains cheese.
Vitamins
Some, but not all vitamins may be sources from animals. Always read labels when purchasing a vitamin. They should indicate if they are vegetarian friendly. If you are unsure of vitamins added to the foods you are eating, look it up on www.vegandetective.com
Veggie Burgers
Yes, you read that right. Unfortunately, egg whites and some milk proteins have made their way into veggie burgers. While these are fine for vegetarians, vegans should always read ingredients and ask servers prior to consumption!
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
Welcome
Welcome to the Vegan Detective Blog!
This is the companion blog to the Vegan Detective website www.vegandetective.com. The goal of The Vegan Detective is to enable vegans and vegetarians to find food ingredients suitable to their lifestyles.
The Vegan Detective blog will contain articles and postings related to food ingredients with links to our companion site.
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
This is the companion blog to the Vegan Detective website www.vegandetective.com. The goal of The Vegan Detective is to enable vegans and vegetarians to find food ingredients suitable to their lifestyles.
The Vegan Detective blog will contain articles and postings related to food ingredients with links to our companion site.
-The Vegan Detective
www.vegandetective.com
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