About Us

VegetarianVitamins.com is the first and the only Vegetarian Vitamin Online Super Store. We sell vegetarian/vegan suitable vitamins, minerals, supplements, herbal extracts and much more  to fit in vegetarian diets. Please feel free to contact us at info@vegetarianvitamins.com for any suggestions that can be used to improve our website and services. Our main goal is to provide vegetarians and vegans with quality supplements for their vegetarian diets.   Below you will find some basic information about vegetarian nutrition and vegetarian diets. By reading it you will understand why you should be more careful before buying vitamins at your drugstore. Most of the vitamins available at the drug stores and other websites are NOT vegetarian suitable. It could take hours and hours research to figure out whether a vitamin is vegetarian or not. More importantly not all Kosher vitamins are vegetarian. After reading this online brochure you will appreciate vegetarianvitamins.com more for the service it provides you with. If you keep a vegetarian diet and seek vegetarian vegan supplements you should add VegetarianVitamins.com to your favorites. This online brochure is taken from "The Vegetarian Resource Group" website: http://www.vrg.org .

*The contents of this brochure and our other publications are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional

• What is B-12 derived from? Isn't it always from an animal product?

• What are "natural flavors"?

• Are McDonald's fries made with beef?

• Do you know the origin of thiamine hydrochloride, di-sodium guanylate, and disodium inosinate? They are from a package of TVP.

• Is wine vegetarian?

• Why won't some vegans eat sugar?

• Why are some cheeses labeled as "vegetarian cheese"? Why wouldn't cheese be vegetarian? What is rennet?

• What is FD & C Red #40 and is it vegan?

• What is chewing gum made out of?

• What is cochineal (carmine)?

• Is the ingredient known as pre-gelatinized wheat starch vegetarian?

• What is sodium stearoyl lactylate?

• What are "E" numbers?

• What is whey?

• What are enyzmes, and are they vegetarian?

• Does guacamole contain gelatin?

• What is cysteine/cystine?

• What are monoglycerides and diglycerides?

• What is amylase?

• What is Royal Jelly?

• What is stearic acid?

• What is calcium lactate? Is it vegan?

• What about those ingredients that sound like they are from milk, such as lactic acid, lactose, and lactate?

• What is the difference between vitamin D2 and D3?

• What are agar-agar and guar gum?

• Is caramel color vegan?

• What is aspartic acid?

• What is glutamic acid?

• Is casein animal-derived?

• What is niacin?

• Does "lecithin" come from beans, such as soybeans, or is it from an animal?

• What are dextrose and maltodextrin?

• Is gluten vegan?

• What is gelatin made from?

• Is kosher gelatin vegetarian?

• Is maple syrup processed with lard?

• Is glycerine safe for vegetarians?

What is B-12 derived from? Isn't it always from an animal product?

B-12, when used to fortify foods, is generally synthetic or fungal in origin. While it is commonly found in animal products, it is now more readily available in soy milks, meat analogues, and Vegetarian Support Formula (Red Star T-6635+) nutritional yeast.

                                                                                                                             <---TOP

What are "natural flavors"?

According to our research department, the exact definition of natural flavorings and flavors from Title 21, Section 101, part 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations is as follows:

"The term natural flavor or 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."

In other words, natural flavors can be pretty much anything approved for use in food. It's basically impossible to tell what is in natural flavors unless the company has specified it on the label. A few of the vegetarian & vegan-oriented companies are doing this now, but the overwhelming majority of food manufacturers do not.

Why do companies "hide" ingredients under "natural flavors"? It's considered a way of preserving the product's identity and uniqueness. Sort of like a "secret recipe" - they worry that if people knew what the flavorings were, then someone would be able to duplicate their product.

So what is a vegetarian to do? Call the company. Ask them what's in the flavorings. Chances are they may not be able to tell you, or may be unwilling to tell you. But the more they hear this question, the more likely they are to become concerned about putting a clarifying statement on their labels. It does work in some cases (remember what happened when enough people wrote to the USDA about the organic standards), although it tends to take awhile. We have already had several large food companies call us concerning their natural flavors and how to word their labels if they use only vegetarian or vegan flavorings. They called because it had come to their attention that this was a concern for vegetarians and vegans.

* Many of the numbers listed on food labels are customer service call centers staffed by people who can only read from the information provided to them by the company. While it's tempting to get frustrated and yell at them, please don't. It's sort of like taking it out on the stock clerk because you don't like the grocery store's policies.

<---TOP

Are McDonald's fries made with beef?

From our Guide to Fast Food: In February 1997, McDonald's informed us by telephone that the natural flavor (see above) in their French fries is a "beef product." At that time, they declined to send us this information in writing. In July 1997, McDonald's sent us a fax stating that "[t]he natural flavor used in French fries is from an animal source."

<---TOP

Do you know the origin of thiamine hydrochloride, di-sodium guanylate, and disodium inosinate? They are from a package of TVP.

thiamine hydrochloride: This is vitamin B-1 and is typically vegan. It is typically synthetic.

disodium guanylate: This is a flavor enhancer derived from fungal sources.

disodium inosinate: This is a flavor enhancer, which may be non-vegetarian. Its sources are mineral, animal (meat/fish), vegetable, or fungal.

If it is TVP, the disodium inosinate is probably of vegetable or fungal origin.

<---TOP

Is wine vegetarian?

In January 1997, we published an article about the manufacturing processes involved in wine making and the animal products that are used in the production. "Why is Wine So Fined?", by Caroline Pyevich, has become one of the most requested articles that was not already on the VRG website. We decided to put it online. You can read the whole article at www.vrg.org/journal/vj97jan/971wine.htm

Here is an excerpt: "Some clarifiers are animal-based products, while others are earth-based. Common animal-based agents include egg whites, milk, casein, gelatin, and isinglass. Gelatin is an animal protein derived from the skin and connective tissue of pigs and cows. Isinglass is prepared from the bladder of the sturgeon fish. Bentonite, a clay earth product, serves as a popular fining agent."

We know a few organic wine companies that produce vegan wines. Note: some organic wine companies do use egg whites as clarifiers. You can contact Hallcrest Vineyards at (408) 335-4441 and Frey Vineyards at (800) 760-3739. Hallcrest offers mail order, and Frey is distributed across the US, and will let you know where their wine can be purchased locally. Offerings From The Vine produces wine that is made with fresh fruits and maple syrup, without sulfites, preservatives, or additives. For information contact Yafah B. Asiel at SVS (404) 752-5194.

<---TOP

Why won't some vegans eat sugar?

Because some sugar companies process sugar through a bone char. The bone char decolorizes the sugar. For more information read "Sugar and Other Sweeteners: Do they Contain Animal Products?" by Caroline Pyevich. It is online at: www.journal/vj97mar/973sugar.htm

<---TOP

Why are some cheeses labeled as "vegetarian cheese"? Why wouldn't cheese be vegetarian? What is rennet?

Cheese is often made with rennet or rennin, which is used to coagulate the dairy product. According to the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, rennin, which is an enzyme used in coagulating cheese, is obtained from milk-fed calves. "After butchering, the fourth stomach...is removed and freed of its food content." After this the stomach goes through several steps including being dry-salted, washed, scraped to remove surface fat, stretched onto racks where moisture is removed, then finally ground and mixed with a salt solution until the rennin is extracted. To read more go to: www.vrg.org/nutshell/cheese.htm

There are some cheeses that are made with vegetable, fungal, or microbial enzymes. We now have a list of vegetarian cheeses on our site at www.vrg.org/nutshell/cheesebybrand.htm. You can also take a look at Trader Joe's lists (note - I'm not sure when these lists were last updated, and some companies might have changed production ingredients): East Coast:

 www.traderjoes.com/products/brochures/rennet_east.asp and West Coast:

 www.traderjoes.com/products/brochures/rennet_west.asp.

<---TOP

What is FD & C Red #40 and is it vegan?

FD & C Red #40 is 99% coal tar derivatives. We don't know of any animal products in it. For years a rumor has claimed that it is made of cochineal or carmine, but that is not true.

<---TOP

What is chewing gum made out of?

Most chewing gums innocuously list "gum base" as one of their ingredients, masking the fact that petroleum, lanolin, glycerin, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, petroleum wax, stearic acid, and latex may be among the components. Because of standards of identity for items such as gum base and flavoring, manufacturers are not required to list everything in their product. According to Dertoline, a French chemical manufacturer, their adhesive "dercolytes" are used as a label and tape adhesive, as well as a chewing gum base. Many brands also list glycerin and glycerol as ingredients on the label. Both of those compounds can be animal-derived.

<---TOP

What is cochineal (carmine)?

Some red dyes are made from the cochineal beetle. These are usually labeled as cochineal, carmine, or carminic acid.

<---TOP

Is the ingredient known as pre-gelatinized wheat starch vegetarian?

According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives: " When starch and water are heated the starch molecules burst and form a gelatin."

According to The Dictionary of Food Ingredients it is a starch that has been created by swelling wheat in cold water. It is also known as gelatinized wheat starch.

According to Food Chemistry: "Pregelatinized flour is made from ground cereals....and is sometimes blended with guar flour or alginates."

It appears to be a completely vegetarian product.

<---TOP

What is sodium stearoyl lactylate?

An animal-mineral (cow or hog-derived, or milk), or vegetable mineral. It is a common food additive, which is often used to condition dough or to blend together ingredients that do not normally blend, such as oil and water. Our Guide reports it "May be non-vegetarian." Archer Daniels Midland Co., a manufacturer of sodium stearoyl lactylate reports that their product is of vegetable origin; the lactic acid is produced from microbial fermentation and the stearic acid, from soy oil. Sodium is a mineral which is added.

<---TOP

What are "E" numbers?

There are different words for different food ingredients across the world. In Europe, some food ingredients are noted as "E" numbers. Those that vegans and vegetarians will want to avoid include:

• E120 - cochineal (red food coloring made from crushed beetles)

• E542 - edible bone phosphate

• E631 - sodium 5'-inosinate

• E901 - beeswax

• E904 - shellac

• E920 - L-cysteine hydrochloride

Ingredients with the following "E" numbers may be animal derived: 101, 101a, 153, 203, 213, 227, 270, 282, 302, 322, 325, 326, 327, 333, 341a, 341b, 341c, 404, 422, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 470, 471, 472a, 472b, 472c, 472d, 472e, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 481, 482, 483, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 570, 572, 627, and 635. To read more go to: www.ivu.org/faq/food.html

<---TOP

What is whey?

The watery material that remains after most of the protein and fat have been removed from milk during the cheese-making process. It is also the liquid that rises to the top of yogurt. It is typically vegetarian.

<---TOP

What are enyzmes, are they vegetarian?

They are proteins added to foods as modifiers. They can be animal, vegetable, bacterial, or fungal. Those used in cheese-makingare often animal- derived, others are used in breadmaking and are often fungal. Examples of enzymes are: lactase (fungal), lipase (animal, fungal), papain (vegetable), pectinase (fruit), protease (animal, vegetable, bacterial, or fungal), rennet (animal), and trypsin (animal).

<---TOP

Does guacamole contain gelatin?

Some processed kinds found in the supermarket do, but fresh guacamole usually does not contain it.

<---TOP

What is cysteine/cystine?

Also known as l-cystine, our research indicates that the source of cysteine is human hair. Cystine is an amino acid needed by humans, which can be produced by the human body. A very small quantity is used in less than 5% of all bread products. Often the hair of third world women is used.

<---TOP

What are Mono- and diglycerides?

Monoglycerides and diglycerides are common food additives used to blend together certain ingredients, such as oil and water, which would not otherwise blend well. The commercial source may be either animal (cow- or hog-derived) or vegetable, and they may be synthetically made as well. They are often found in bakery products, beverages, ice cream, chewing gum, shortening, whipped toppings, margarine, and confections. Our Guide classifies them as "May be non-vegetarian." Archer Daniels Midland Co., a large manufacturer of monoglycerides, reports that they use soybean oil.

<---TOP

What is amylase?

Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into a simpler form. It can be derived from bacterial, fungal, or animal (pig-derived) sources. Typically vegan.

<---TOP

What is Royal Jelly?

Royal jelly is a substance produced by the glands of bees and used as a source of B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It is considered vegetarian.

<---TOP

What is stearic acid?

Stearic acid is used as a binder in foods, and its source may be either animal or vegetable. It is found in vegetable and animal oils, animal fats, cascarilla bark extract, and in synthetic form. It is used in butter flavoring, vanilla flavoring, chewing gum and candy, fruit waxes, and may not be vegetarian.

<---TOP

What is calcium lactate? Is it vegan?

It should be a vegan ingredient. It is a calcium salt of lactic acid. According to our research, domestically made lactic acid is produced without whey as the fermentation medium. It is typically vegan. Archer Daniels Midland Co. reports that they use only hydrolyzed cornstarch as the fermentation medium. Purac America Inc., says that they use only beet sugar. However, with imported products, such as some olives, the source of the lactic acid is unknown.

<---TOP

What about those ingredients that sound like they are from milk, such as lactic acid, lactose, and lactate?

If it's lactate or lactic acid, it's not from dairy (exception - sterol lactate due to the stearic acid). "Lac" ingredients are usually produced by a fermentation process using cornstarch or beet sugar. Lactose is always from dairy. Most ingredients made with with calcium are vegan (i.e. calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate). The exceptions are calcium caseinate and calcium stearate. Drink up the calcium fortified o.j. - it's vegan!

<---TOP

What is the difference between vitamin D2 and D3?

D-2 (ergocalciferol) is derived from yeast, while D-3 (cholecalciferol) is derived from lanolin (from sheep) or fish. D-2 and D-3 are both used to fortify milk and other dairy products. Some D-3 vitamin supplements are made with fish oil. D-3 can also be produced by plants and fungi, but this isn't as common as using lanolin or fish as a source.

<---TOP

What are agar-agar and guar gum?

Both are thickening agents. Agar (also known as agar-agar) - A vegetable gum obtained from seaweeds used to thicken foods. Agar is a vegan product.

Guar gum - A common and versatile vegetable gum often used to thicken products. Guar gum is also a vegan product.

<---TOP

Is caramel color vegan?

Carmel color is a common food coloring and flavoring that is usually derived from corn. It is derived from vegetable sources, and is considered vegan. It is used in soft drinks, baked goods, candy, ice cream, and meats to impart a brown color, and also as a flavoring.

<---TOP

What is aspartic acid?

Aspartic acid is an amino acid needed by humans, and can be produced by the body. It is considered typically vegetarian, and its commercial source is generally bacterial or fungal.

<---TOP

What is glutamic acid?

Glutamic acid is an amino acid generally used as a flavor enhancer. It is considered typically vegetarian. Its commercial source is generally vegetable.

<---TOP

Is casein animal-derived?

Casein is a milk derivative. It is often used to enhance texture in soy and rice cheeses because it helps the "cheese" melt.

<---TOP

What is niacin?

Niacin (also known as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, niacinamide, vitamin B-3) is a B vitamin that is important in the normal functioning of the nervous system. Its commercial source is synthetic, and it may also be found in liver, yeast, meat, legumes, and whole cereals. It is typically vegan .

<---TOP

Does "lecithin" come from beans, such as soybeans, or is it from an animal?

Lecithin is found in egg yolks, the tissues and organs of many animals, and some vegetables such as soybeans, peanuts, and corn. Lecithin is commonly used in foods that are high in fats and oils in order to make dissimilar substances, such as oil and water, blend and/or stay blended. We list it as typically vegetarian. Archer Daniels Midland Co., a major manufacturer of lecithin, extracts it from soybeans. Soy is the standard for lecithin in the food industry these days.

<---TOP

What are dextrose and maltodextrin?

Dextrose has a vegetable source, but may be processed through a bone char filter (see sugar question above). It is a simple sugar, which functions as a sweetener in foods and drinks. Our guide lists it as typically vegan.

Maltodextrin has a vegetable source. It is a modified food starch, which may be used to give body to foods. Our guide lists it as vegan.

<---TOP

Is "gluten" vegan?

Gluten is a mixture of proteins from wheat flour. It is a vegan product. You will often see it mentioned as wheat gluten or seitan.

<---TOP

What is gelatin made from?

Gelatin is made from the bones, skins, hoofs, and tendons of cows, pigs, fish and other animals. It is animal protein used especially for its thickening and gelling properties. It is a non-vegetarian product. It is often used in candies and Jello.

<---TOP

Is kosher gelatin vegetarian?

Kosher gelatin can be made with fish bones, and/or beef or pork skins. Contrary to assumptions, it is also considered kosher to use it with dairy products.

Kosher law is very complex and the bones and hides used in gelatin production are considered pareve. The general meaning of pareve refers to foods that are neither milk nor meat, and many people assume this means that the product is vegetarian. However, OU pareve certified ingredients can have animal products, such as fish, eggs, and gelatin, in them. "Kosher Gelatin Marshmallows: Glatt Kosher and 'OU-Pareve'," an article that appeared in Kashrus Magazine, explains the distinctions. A quote from the article follows:

"...since the gelatin product is from hides or bones - not real flesh - and has undergone such signifigant changes, it is no longer considered 'fleishig' (meat) but 'pareve', and can be eaten with dairy products."

<---TOP