Condensed list of the hidden vegan and gluten-containing products that can be found in a number of pre-packaged foods and sauces, here’s a list of some of the
main
offenders:
- Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: This ingredient isn’t gluten-free, but a similar product is: “hydrolyzed soy protein.”
- Barley: This grain contains gluten and can often be found on labels as “malt”, “malt extract”, “malt flavoring”, or “barley malt flavoring”. Note that maltodextrin, which is made from potato, corn, or rice, is gluten-friendly, while “wheat maltodextrin” is not.
- Carmine: This deep red coloring product is derived from the cochineal beetle and is not vegan friendly.
- Lanolin: This grease that’s derived from the wool of unwashed sheep is not vegan-friendly.
- Caseine: Sadly found in some soya cheeses, this is a milk by-product which isn’t milk friendly.
- L-cystine: usually a bread additive that can be derived from human hair (yuck!).
- Mon and di-glycerides: can be animal sourced.
- Gelatin: animal or fish based ingredient that’s often found in candy
- Natural Flavoring: means “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.” True meaning: may be derived from gluten-containing grains