Additives Non Vegetarian


120 Red Colour Cochineal


Is derived from the egg yolks and fatty parts of the dried female insect commonly know as the cochineal beetle. When purchasing food colourings, red colour (124) is the non animal equivalent and is quite commonly available. It has also been linked to hypersensitivity in children.


161g Natural Orange Colour Xanthophylls


Is derived from mushrooms and flamingo feathers. Orange colour (160a) – carotene – is a natural equivalent derived from vegetables.


322 Emulsifier and Stabilizer Lecithin


Is mainly commercially derived from soya beans. Another commercial source however, is egg yolks. Lecithin is to be found in a wide range of foods such as chocolate, some brands of powdered milk, confectionary, margarine, and malted milk powder. Manufacturers are not obliged to say where it was derived, so beware.


422 Solvent, Humectant, Sweeter Glycerin


Is misunderstood because it naturally occurs in plant cells, but after serious enquiry we have ascertained that all commercial glycerin is obtained as a by–product in the manufacture of soaps and fatty acids (Most soaps are derived from slaughtered animals.) Expect to find glycerin (422) in all sorts of confectionary, low joule foods, some dried fruits, prepared mustard, carbohydrate modified foods and crystallized pineapple.


441 Gelatine


Derived from boiling down animal products that contain collagen such as bones, hoofs and skin etc. Usually described as a food and listed in the ingredients.


471 Emulsifier Mono And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids


Is derived for commercial use from glycerin and fatty acids. Watch out for this one – it’s very commonly used in confectionary (especially chocolate bars), flavoured whole and skim milk, frozen yoghurt, ice–cream, margarine, salad dressing, peanut butter, UHT cream, etc.


472 Emulsifier


473 Emulsifier and Stabilizer  – (Sucrose esters of (471)


Is made from Emulsifier (471) and is typically found In the same types of food products containing (471).


491 Emulsifier and Stabilizer Sorbitan Monostearate


Is prepared synthetically from stearic acid and is used in all dried yeasts, soyaroni, and in other types of food products containing (471).


542 Anti–Caking agent


Is directly extracted form animal bones. It is to be found, (although probably not mentioned) in all hot drink vending machines as an anti–caking agent in powdered milk. Beware of hot milk from these machines.


570 Anti–Caking agent Stearic–acid


Naturally occurs in all animal fats and vegetable oils. Prepared from animal origin commercially. It is to be found in artificial sweeteners and confectionary (hard tablets and rolls like “life savers”, etc).


572 Anti–Caking agent and Emulsifier


Prepared from stearic acid (570) and is to be found in the same kind of food–stuffs as (570).


631 Flavour Enhancer Di–Sodium Inosinate


This flavour enhancer is derived from meat extract and sardines, and can be found in many foods where flavourings are permitted. Prohibited in foods for children and young infants.


Non Ekadasi Additives


Thickeners (410) Locust Bean Gum and (412) Guar Gum


Are used in many food products marked as containing “vegetable gums” and are indeed vegetarian. But they should be avoided on Ekadasi because they are derived from seeds of members of the pea family.


#Ref: Vegan Society of Australia, Melbourne and "Food Additives (Pocket Reference Series by Sue Treffers.



Note* :Generally it is best to avoid all food additives of unknown origin and stick to only naturally derived additives. The food industry uses a lot of additives of questionable value that may cause health problems. Ideally one should only take foodstuffs prepared by devotees and grown by devotees, all others may have questionable value systems and profit motives.

This list may not be complete if you have verified information on any that should be added to the list advise me please.


Bhakta Chris Loy