What makes a product vegan?

Making sustainable choices when taking the first steps towards a vegan lifestyle can be confusing. In addition to food and drink, other products such as cosmetics, clothing, and even furniture can be unsuitable for those trying to be fully vegan.

What does ‘vegan’ mean?

The term is used broadly to describe people who choose to avoid products containing anything derived from an animal. For example, this could be animal extracts or products, or elements used as part of a manufacturing process.

Veganism is also personal; what it means to be ‘vegan’ can differ between individuals. As a set of voluntary principles, there is no single ‘correct’ way to be vegan. Some may choose only to follow a vegan diet, while others may desire to live a ‘fully vegan’ lifestyle.

Vegan product certification

Currently there are no laws regulating the labelling of vegan products in the UK. The onus lies with consumers to research how reliable and truthful a brand is with their labelling and marketing.

However, reliable third-party indicators do exist. The logo of UK charity The Vegan Society acts as a de facto form of credible certification for consumers and manufacturers. It indicates that a product does not contain animal extracts or by-products and that none were involved during manufacture.

The absence of formal certification can also mean that some products not labelled or marketed as ‘vegan’ may, in fact, be suitable for vegans – intentionally or otherwise.

Identifying non-vegan ingredients

If there are no obvious or trustworthy certifications visible on product packaging, the best way to determine whether a product is vegan is to check its ingredient list or component parts.

Besides meat, dairy, fish, and eggs, animal-derived components can be found in common ‘branded’ foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other products. For example, a common form of colouring known as carmine comes from insects. In addition, glycerine and gelatine are both derived from animal fats.

Adoption of vegan principles may also lead some people to avoid materials produced naturally by animals. This may be true even if harvesting these materials does not necessarily cause harm to the animal. However, other reasons may give rise to ethical concerns.

Pearls, wool, angora, and cashmere fall into this category. Unsustainable harvesting practices may mean many oysters do not survive pearl retrieval. Likewise, if it cannot be guaranteed that cruelty or carelessness did not occur when livestock were sheared, wearing animal fibres could be an issue.

The relationship between ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty-free’

As separate and individual concepts, they are not synonymous; being suitable for vegans does not automatically guarantee that a product was manufactured using methods free from animal cruelty.

However, there is a tendency for the two stances to be pursued together by organisations championing moral and ethical manufacturing practices. For instance, the Vegan Society ensures no animal testing is involved with products they certify.

The internationally recognised ‘Leaping Bunny’ logo is a reliable signifier of animal testing not being involved in the manufacture of cosmetics or household products. Businesses using the logo on their packaging are required to license its use, effectively adhering to a de facto form of certification.

It should be noted that a ‘vegan’ product could contain ingredients tested on animals, and a ‘cruelty-free’ product could still contain animal extracts or by-products. It’s important for the shopper to do the research or reach out for advice if they are unsure.

Vegan products and the environment

In addition to the animal cruelty aspect, research has shown the meat and dairy industries to be among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction.

The chemical treatment and manufacturing required to turn animal products into ingredients for beauty products, clothing, and other goods can also involve resource-intensive and environmentally harmful practices.

Environmentally minded vegan consumption

The desire to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment and animals, so often at the core of ethical veganism, is attuned to other principles of sustainable living, which guide the production of FOOGO green’s plant-based products and environmentally conscious practices.

Our blog also contains inspiration for low-impact living – whether you are committed to a fully vegan lifestyle or simply interested in switching to more eco-friendly products. Try spicing up parties with vegan BBQ skewers, or make delicious summer memories with our vegan smoothie recipes.