Ingredient Guide

Unfriendly Ingredients for Vegetarian Lifestyles

Ingredients that people with certain lifestyles and diets choose to avoid in their food.

Ingredients for Other Diets »

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat, and may also include abstention from by-products of animal slaughter.

Ingredients that people living the Vegetarian lifestyle, typically, choose to avoid in their food.

See Vegetarian Diet Friendly Food »

Ingredient Is it Vegetarian? Description
Abalone Never Vegetarian Abalone is a common name for any of a group of small to very large sea snails and molluscs.
Acetate May be Vegetarian Possible sources are fish liver oil, egg yolks, butter, lemongrass, carrots or synthetics.
Acetylated Never Vegetarian Can come from fish oil, egg yolks, butter, lemongrass, wheat germ oil, carotene in carrots, etc.
Adrenaline Never Vegetarian Hormone from adrenal glands of hogs, cattle, and sheep.
Albumen May be Vegetarian In eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and many vegetable tissues and fluids.
Albumin May be Vegetarian In eggs, milk, muscles, blood, and many vegetable tissues and fluids.
Alcloxa Never Vegetarian Uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants.
Aldioxa Never Vegetarian Uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants.
Allantoin May be Vegetarian Uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants.
Alligator Never Vegetarian Typically used for their skin and sometimes for their meat and tissue.
Allura May be Vegetarian Allura Red. Derived from either coal tar or petroleum. It is not derived from insects.
Ambergris Never Vegetarian From whale intestines. Used in perfumes and as flavoring in foods and beverages.
Amino May be Vegetarian The building blocks of protein in all animals and plants.
Aminosuccinate Never Vegetarian An amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins.
Amylase May be Vegetarian Enzyme derived from either animal (usually porcine pancreas), fungal, bacterial or plant source.
Anchovy Never Vegetarian A small fish often used to give non-vegetarian food a salty flavor.
Animal Never Vegetarian This product contains an animal derivative. May not be vegetarian friendly.
Arachidonic Never Vegetarian A fatty acid found in liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals and humans.
Arachidyl May be Vegetarian A wax that can be from animal fat. Alternatives: peanut or vegetable oil.
Aspartic May be Vegetarian An amino acid occurring in animals and plants. Usually synthesized from glutamate.
Aspic Never Vegetarian Savory jelly derived from meat and fish.
Bacon Never Vegetarian Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork/pig. Not considered a vegetarian option.
Bee May be Vegetarian This product contains an ingredient derived from bees. May not be vegetarian friendly.
Beef Never Vegetarian Not a vegetarian friendly option. Beef is taken from the body of a cow.
Bison Never Vegetarian Ingredient comes from bison, which is a relative to cows. May not be vegetarian.
Blood Never Vegetarian From any slaughtered animal. Possibly in foods such as lecithin.
Boar Never Vegetarian Ingredient comes from boar, which is a relative to the pig. Typically used for their hair.
Bone Never Vegetarian Anti-caking Agent - Contains bones from animals.
Boneblack Never Vegetarian Bone Charcoal. Made by roasting bones. Used in some filters and in refining cane sugar.
Bonechar Never Vegetarian Animal bone ash. Black residue from bones calcined in closed vessels.
Bonemeal Never Vegetarian Crushed or ground animal bones.
Bonito Never Vegetarian Smaller relative of the tuna fish. Used as an ingredient in Japanese cuisine.
Bovine Never Vegetarian Another word for cows or cattle. Not a vegetarian friendly food source.
Brain Never Vegetarian Extract taken from the brain of a slaughtered animal.
Brawn Never Vegetarian Boiled meat, ears and tongue of pig.
Brawn Never Vegetarian Boiled meat, ears and tongue of pig.
Calamari Never Vegetarian Not vegetarian if sourced from an actual squid.
Calciferol May be Vegetarian Can come from fish liver oil, milk, egg yolks, and other animal products but can come from plants.
Calcium May be Vegetarian May be animal based. Double check the label to be sure of the origin.
Calfskin Never Vegetarian Skin from a calf. Typically found in leather products.
Canthaxanthin May be Vegetarian Coloring - Usually derived from plant material, but sometimes made from fish or shells.
Capiz Never Vegetarian A shell from a marine animal.
Carbamide May be Vegetarian Usually plant based. Can be extracted from animal urine and other body fluids.
Carbon May be Vegetarian Coloring derived from animals unless otherwise described as plant based.
Carmine Never Vegetarian Red pigment extracted from the crushed carcasses of the cochineal insect, a cactus-feeding insect.
Castoreum Never Vegetarian A secretion from muskrat or beaver genitals.
Catalase May be Vegetarian Enzyme that decomposes hydrogen peroxide. It is derived from cattle liver or fungus.
Catgut Never Vegetarian Tough cord or thread made from the intestines of sheep, horses, etc.
Cattle Never Vegetarian Cattle, or cows, are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates.
Chicken Never Vegetarian Chicken is not a vegetarian option if meat or flesh from an animal.
Cholesterin May be Vegetarian Derived from animal fats or oils, nerve tissues, eggs or blood.
Cholic Never Vegetarian A bile acid found in humans and animals. Most commonly extracted from cows or ox.
Chondroitin May be Vegetarian Produced synthetically or derived from the cartilage of cows, pigs, sharks, fish or birds.
Chymotrypsin Never Vegetarian Enzyme primarily derived from ox pancreas.
Cistine May be Vegetarian An amino acid which can come from animals.
Citric May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fat as it is derived from Glycerin/Glycerol.
Civet Never Vegetarian Substance painfully scraped from glands in the anal pouch of the civet cat.
Cochineal Never Vegetarian Red pigment extracted from the crushed carcasses of the cochineal insect, a cactus-feeding insect.
Cod Never Vegetarian Not a vegetarian option if from the cod fish.
Collagen May be Vegetarian Protein found in most tissues, including bone, cartilage and skin. Typically from cows or chickens.
Cortico Never Vegetarian Cortisone. Hormone from cattle liver. Widely used in medicine. Alternatives: synthetics.
Crab Never Vegetarian Not a vegetarian option if sourced from a crab.
Crustacean Never Vegetarian Includes such familiar animals as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill, woodlice, and barnacles.
Cysteine May be Vegetarian An amino acid found in the hair protein keratin.
Dashi Never Vegetarian Stock made from fish and seaweed. Used in Japanese cuisine.
Dexpanthenol May be Vegetarian Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics.
Dextrose May be Vegetarian Sometimes derived from animal tissues and fluids. Check the label to determine if suitable.
Diacetyl May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fat as it is derived from Glycerin/Glycerol.
Diglyceride May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fats.
Disodium May be Vegetarian Flavor Enhancer - Often made from animals.
Down May be Vegetarian Goose or duck insulating feathers. Often from slaughtered or cruelly exploited geese.
Duck Never Vegetarian Not a vegetarian option if sourced from a duck.
Duodenum Never Vegetarian A part of an intestinal tract. In some vitamins and medicines.
E120 Never Vegetarian Coloring - Cochineal (another name for carminic acid, a pigment made from powdered insects)
E422 May be Vegetarian Sweetener - Likely plant-based but may be derived from animal fat.
E471 May be Vegetarian Mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids (sometimes derived from animal fats).
E542 Never Vegetarian Edible Bone Phosphate: A product made from the bones of cattle or pigs.
E631 May be Vegetarian Disodium Inosinate: Can be produced from meat, fish or tapioca starch.
Elastin Never Vegetarian Found in the neck ligaments and aorta of bovine. Similar to collagen.
Escargot Never Vegetarian A food consisting of cooked land snails. Not a vegetarian option.
Feather May be Vegetarian Generally from exploited and/or slaughtered birds.
Fish Never Vegetarian Fish are not considered a vegetarian food.
Fletan Never Vegetarian Rare ingredient derived from fish liver which includes lecithin, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
Fur May be Vegetarian The skin of an animal. Used in clothing.
Gelatin Never Vegetarian Protein obtained by boiling animal skin, connective tissue or bones, usually from cows or pigs.
Glucosamine May be Vegetarian Usually extracted from the tissues of shellfish. Sometimes from corn or produced synthetically.
Glutamic May be Vegetarian An amino acid found widely in plant and animal tissue.
Glycerin May be Vegetarian Often derived from animal fat but may also be plant based.
Goose Never Vegetarian Geese are not considered a vegetarian food.
Guanine May be Vegetarian Pearl Essence. Obtained from scales of fish.
Hair May be Vegetarian In some blankets, mattresses, brushes, furniture, etc. Alternatives: vegetable and man-made fibers.
Hide May be Vegetarian Same as gelatin but of a cruder, more impure form.
Hogs Never Vegetarian Hog - Derives from a domestic pig.
Inositol May be Vegetarian A sugar-like dietary supplement. Present in almost all plant and animal tissues.
Insulin Never Vegetarian From hog pancreas. Used by millions of diabetics daily.
Isinglass Never Vegetarian Very pure form of gelatin obtained from the air bladders of some freshwater fishes.
Katsuobushi Never Vegetarian Made from skipjack tuna or the bonito fish. Used as a topping or filling in many Japanese dishes.
L-cysteine May be Vegetarian Improving Agent - Produced commercially from animal and human hair (and feathers).
Lactoflavin May be Vegetarian A food coloring. Can be produced from animal sources like beef, especially when marked as natural.
Lamb Never Vegetarian Not vegetarian if meat or tissue sourced from a lamb/young sheep.
Laneth May be Vegetarian Wax from sheep excreted by the skin of sheep and extracted from the wool.
Lanogene May be Vegetarian A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool.
Lanolate May be Vegetarian A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool.
Lanolin May be Vegetarian Wax from sheep excreted by the skin of sheep and extracted from the wool.
Lanosterol May be Vegetarian A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool.
Lard Never Vegetarian Fat from the abdomen of a pig that is rendered and clarified for use in cooking.
Leather May be Vegetarian Animal based unless labeled as faux or artificial.
Lipid May be Vegetarian Fat and fat-like substances that are found in animals and plants. Alternatives: vegetable oils.
Lipoid May be Vegetarian Fat and fat-like substances that are found in animals and plants. Alternatives: vegetable oils.
Lobster Never Vegetarian Not considered a vegetarian option if sourced from the meat or tissue of a lobster.
Luna Never Vegetarian A plantlike animal used to make sponges.
Mahi Never Vegetarian The mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide.
Marine Never Vegetarian Likely from fish or marine mammals (including porpoises).
Meat Never Vegetarian Meat is not a vegetarian option as it is derived from an animal.
Merling Never Vegetarian A common type of fish. Not a vegetarian friendly option.
Mink Never Vegetarian A weasel like rodent used in cosmetics, creams, and for their skin.
Mohair May be Vegetarian Hair taken from the angora goat.
Mollusc Never Vegetarian Mollusca is the second largest phylum of invertebrate animals. Not a vegetarian option.
Mono-Diglyceride May be Vegetarian Emulsifying agents in puddings, ice cream, bread etc. Can be derived from plants or animals.
Monoglyceride May be Vegetarian Often from animal fat but may be plant based. Check the label.
Musk May be Vegetarian Dried genital secretion obtained from deer, beaver, muskrat, civet cat, otter, and other animals.
Mussel Never Vegetarian Mussels are animals belonging to the shellfish family. Not considered a vegetarian option.
Myristal May be Vegetarian Acid typically derived from nut oils but occasionally of animal origin.
Natural May be Vegetarian Ingredients are not synthetic or artificial, but extracted directly from plants or animal products
Ocenol May be Vegetarian Found in oil derived from fish.
Octadecanoic Never Vegetarian Tallor and other animal fats and oils.
Okaka Never Vegetarian Made from skipjack tuna or the bonito fish. Used as a topping or filling in many Japanese dishes.
Olceinic Never Vegetarian Animal tallow/fat found in synthetic butter, cheese, some vegetable fats and oils, etc.
Oleic May be Vegetarian Fatty acid occurring in animal and vegetable fats.
Oleostearin Never Vegetarian Solid obtained from pressed tallow.
Oleth May be Vegetarian Found in oil derived from fish.
Oleyl May be Vegetarian Found in oil derived from fish.
Ostrich Never Vegetarian An ostrich is a large flightless bird. Not a vegetarian friendly food option.
Ox May be Vegetarian Ox or oxgall is sourced from bovines, which are often castrated. Typically used in creams.
Palmitamide May be Vegetarian A fatty acid most commonly derived from palm oil but may be derived from animals as well.
Palmitamine May be Vegetarian A fatty acid most commonly derived from palm oil but may be derived from animals as well.
Palmitate May be Vegetarian A fatty acid most commonly derived from palm oil but may be derived from animals as well.
Palmitic May be Vegetarian A fatty acid most commonly derived from palm oil but may be derived from animals as well.
Panthenol May be Vegetarian Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics. In shampoos, supplements, emollients, etc.
Panthenyl May be Vegetarian Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics. In shampoos, supplements, emollients, etc.
Phosphatide May be Vegetarian Sometimes made using Glycerol. Glycerol is made mostly from animal fats, unless otherwise stated.
Pig Never Vegetarian Pig, or pork, is not considered a vegetarian option.
Pollock Never Vegetarian Pollock is a fish. Not a vegetarian option.
Polyglycerol May be Vegetarian A byproduct of soap manufacture (normally uses animal fat).
Polyoxyethylene May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fats.
Polypeptide Never Vegetarian From animal protein. Used in cosmetics. Alternatives: plant proteins and enzymes.
Polysorbate May be Vegetarian Derivatives of fatty acids, which are commonly sourced from animals. In cosmetics, foods.
Pork Never Vegetarian Pork, or pig, is not considered a vegetarian option.
Poultry Never Vegetarian Poultry is another name for domestic fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.
Pristane Never Vegetarian Obtained from the liver oil of sharks and from whale ambergris.
Progesteron May be Vegetarian A steroid hormone used in anti-wrinkle face creams. Alternatives: synthetics.
Propanediol May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fats.
Propylene May be Vegetarian Emulsifier - May contain animal fats.
Provitamin May be Vegetarian A pigment found in animal tissues and plants. Typically plant based when used as an additive.
Puttanesca May be Vegetarian A pasta dish that often includes anchovies.
Qivuit May be Vegetarian The wool taken from the muskox.
Quail Never Vegetarian Quail is a mid-sized bird and is not considered a vegetarian option.
Quanternium May be Vegetarian Fat from cows, sheep, pigs, etc. Often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs.
Quinoline May be Vegetarian May involve the use of gelatin as a carrier.
Retinol May be Vegetarian Vitamin A obtained from vegetables, egg yolks, or fish liver oil.
Ribonucleic May be Vegetarian RNA is in all living cells. Used in many protein shampoos and cosmetics. Alternatives: plant cells.
RNA May be Vegetarian RNA is in all living cells. Used in many protein shampoos and cosmetics. Alternatives: plant cells.
Sable May be Vegetarian From the fur, or other parts of sables (weasel-like mammals).
Salmon Never Vegetarian Salmon is a kind of fish. Not considered a vegetarian food.
Scale May be Vegetarian Used in shimmery makeups (eye, etc.). Alternatives: mica, rayon.
Scallop Never Vegetarian Scallops are a kind of shellfish and are not considered to be a vegetarian option.
Seafood Never Vegetarian Seafood is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans. Likely animal based.
Shark Never Vegetarian Products that are derived from shark flesh, meat, or tissue are not vegetarian.
Sheep Never Vegetarian Sheep are not considered a vegetarian option.
Shrimp Never Vegetarian Shrimp is not considered a vegetarian food.
Skin Never Vegetarian Animal based unless labeled as faux or artificial.
Snail May be Vegetarian Snails are small gastropods. They are typically crushed for cosmetic or for escargot.
Sperm May be Vegetarian A waxy and oily reproductive substance derived from animals.
Spermaceti May be Vegetarian Waxy oil derived from whale heads or from dolphins but now most often derived from petroleum.
Sponge Never Vegetarian A plantlike sea animal used to make sponges.
Squalane May be Vegetarian Oil derived from shark livers.
Squalene May be Vegetarian Oil derived from shark livers.
Squid Never Vegetarian Squid is a sea animal and is not considered to be a vegetarian food.
Stearin May be Vegetarian Fat from cows, sheep, pigs, etc. Often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs.
Stearyl May be Vegetarian Often prepared from stearic acid. Typically a fat from cows, pigs, and sheep, etc.
Stearyldimethyl May be Vegetarian Often prepared from stearic acid. Typically a fat from cows, pigs, and sheep, etc.
Steroid May be Vegetarian May be from various animal glands or from plant tissues.
Sterol May be Vegetarian May be from various animal glands or from plant tissues.
Suede May be Vegetarian Animal based unless labeled as faux or artificial.
Suet Never Vegetarian Hard white fat around kidneys and loins of animals.
Tallow Never Vegetarian Solid fat of sheep and cattle separated from the membranous tissues. Typically found in margarine.
Tallowate Never Vegetarian A soap made by combining the fatty tissue of animals.
Tuna Never Vegetarian Tuna is obtained from the tuna fish. Not a vegetarian food option.
Turkey Never Vegetarian Not a vegetarian food if derived from the flesh, meat, or tissue of a turkey.
Veal Never Vegetarian The flesh of cow calves that have been raised in conditions that prevent the development of muscle.
Vitamin May be Vegetarian Likely animal based but may be plant based. Check the label to verify the source of the ingredient.
Volaise Never Vegetarian Ostrich meat.
Whiting Never Vegetarian A common type of fish. Not a vegetarian friendly option.
Worcestershire Never Vegetarian Many varieties of Worcestershire sauce contain anchovies. Check the ingredients to be sure.
↑ Back to top