Which e-numbers & additives are vegan?
Short answer
Of the 12 e-numbers & additives we track, 6 are not vegan, 3 depend on sourcing, and 3 are reliably vegan. Tap any ingredient for the full verdict, label names and alternatives.
Key takeaways
- Not vegan: Bone Phosphate (E542), Castoreum, Castoreum (in 'natural flavors'), E441 — Gelatin (additive code), Lysozyme (E1105), Shellac (E904).
- Depends on sourcing: Disodium 5-Ribonucleotides (E635), Disodium Guanylate (E627), Disodium Inosinate (E631).
- Reliably vegan: Carnauba Wax (E903), Citric Acid, Lactic Acid.
- Scan any barcode in the free VeggieOS app for an instant vegan verdict.
Not vegan (6)
Is Bone Phosphate (E542) vegan?
E542
E542 is extracted from defatted animal bones. Not vegan.
Is Castoreum vegan?
Castoreum is a vanilla-like flavouring from beaver scent glands. Not vegan (though rarely used today).
Is Castoreum (in 'natural flavors') vegan?
Castoreum is a secretion from beaver glands, occasionally used in 'natural vanilla flavor'. Not vegan.
Is E441 — Gelatin (additive code) vegan?
E441
E441 is the EU additive code for gelatin. Not vegan.
Is Lysozyme (E1105) vegan?
E1105
E1105 is extracted from chicken egg whites. Not vegan.
Is Shellac (E904) vegan?
E904
E904 is the additive code for shellac, a resin from lac insects. Not vegan.
Depends (3)
Is Disodium 5-Ribonucleotides (E635) vegan?
E635
A 50/50 blend of E627 and E631. Vegan status depends on the E631 source.
Is Disodium Guanylate (E627) vegan?
E627
Like E631, originally from fish; modern E627 is usually microbial. Source rarely listed.
Is Disodium Inosinate (E631) vegan?
E631
E631 was historically extracted from fish or meat. Modern E631 is usually microbial. Source is rarely disclosed.
Vegan (3)
Understanding e-numbers & additives
Food additives are the hardest ingredient family for plant-based shoppers because a single E-number can legally describe a compound made from petroleum, plants, microbes or animals, and the label never says which.
Only a minority of additives are ever animal-derived, but that minority is widely used: emulsifiers, glazing agents, some acids and a few flavour enhancers. Where a plant and an animal route both exist, the plant route is usually cheaper, so the odds favour vegan — but odds are not certainty.
The practical approach is to memorise the short list of genuinely risky numbers rather than treating all E-numbers as suspect. Everything else is far more likely to be synthetic or plant-based.
What to check on the package
- 1.
Cross-check the E-number rather than the trade name — the number is standardised, the name is not.
- 2.
Additives with both routes (E471, E422, E570) are usually plant-based in Europe but should be confirmed for imported products.
- 3.
Assume synthetic origin for colours other than E120 (cochineal) and E904 (shellac).
- 4.
Where the product carries a vegan trademark, the additive question is already answered.
Vegan trademarks are the only practical way to resolve additive ambiguity at scale, because certifiers audit supply chains that labels do not disclose.
From label to decision
What does the ingredient list actually tell you?
Check the complete formula first. Then separate ingredients with a clear origin from those needing manufacturer confirmation. Uncertainty is a reason to investigate, not a reason to invent an answer.
- 01
Read the exact formula
Include coatings, sauces and fillings. Use the variant and country on the package, not an old listing for another product.
- 02
Identify what is unresolved
Names such as glycerin or E471 may not state their source. An additive number alone does not settle vegan suitability.
- 03
Verify the missing evidence
Check current certification or ask the manufacturer about the named ingredient and any animal-derived processing aids.
Animal-derived
Whey · honey · gelatin
An intentionally added animal ingredient means the product is not vegan.
Source-dependent
Glycerin · E471 · some D3
Keep the answer unresolved until product-specific sourcing is confirmed.
Plant-derived ingredient
Oats · agar · sunflower oil
These ingredients can be vegan; still check everything else in the product.
A label-reading example
Illustrative chocolate label
Ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin.
May contain milk.
No animal ingredient is named in this illustrative formula. The milk warning concerns possible cross-contact, not an intentional ingredient. For allergy safety, follow an allergy plan. For processing-aid questions, seek product-specific evidence.
Read about lecithinCheck the evidence before choosing
Vegan ingredients, cruelty-free testing policies and environmental claims answer different questions. Check the exact product and its market, not just the brand name or a badge on the front of the pack.
Compare price per serving or use, the full ingredient list and any certification in the certifier’s own directory. Missing evidence means the claim is unconfirmed; it does not automatically mean the product fails.
- A practical example
- For a plant milk, compare protein and fortification alongside price per litre. For skincare, check ingredients and animal-testing policy separately.
- What to keep in mind
- Formulas, prices and certification can change. A ranking is a starting point for comparison, not a guarantee or an independent laboratory test.
When a label needs a closer look
A snack can look plant-based yet contain whey, honey or carmine. Check the exact flavour and pack sold in your country: another item from the same brand may have a different recipe.
If a scan has incomplete information, compare it with the label in your hand or analyse the ingredient text. An unclear source is a reason to ask the manufacturer, not proof that the ingredient is animal-derived.
- A practical example
- For a protein bar, look for milk proteins first, then check ambiguous additives and the source of any vitamin D3.
- What to keep in mind
- A vegan verdict is not an allergy clearance. Check allergen warnings and cross-contact information separately.
Understand what an impact estimate means
Environmental estimates compare a choice with an assumed alternative. The result depends on the ingredients, production method and comparison used; it is not a measurement of your individual supply chain.
Use the trend to understand repeated choices rather than treating a single total as precise. Reducing food waste and choosing meals you will keep making can matter more than chasing a perfect score.
- A practical example
- Compare a regular bean-based meal with the meat-based meal it replaces, while keeping portion sizes and food waste in mind.
- What to keep in mind
- Water, emissions and cost figures are estimates. They do not prove a particular product is carbon-neutral or universally more sustainable.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Which e-numbers & additives are not vegan?
- Bone Phosphate (E542), Castoreum, Castoreum (in 'natural flavors'), E441 — Gelatin (additive code), Lysozyme (E1105), Shellac (E904) are animal-derived and not vegan.
- How do I check a e-numbers & additive on a label?
- Look for the ingredient name or its E-number in the ingredients list, then check it here. You can also scan the barcode in the free VeggieOS app for an instant vegan verdict.