How to Read Vegan Food Labels: A Practical Guide

Choosing vegan food is not always as simple as spotting a vegan logo. Some products use terms such as "plant-based" or "dairy-free," while others carry certification marks or make no obvious vegan claim at all. The ingredients list, allergen information and product description can provide important clues, but knowing what to look for makes the process much easier.

This guide takes you through the key parts of a food label, explains ingredients that may need closer attention, and shows you how to compare vegan products when shopping online. If you are starting your vegan shopping journey, you can also explore our British Vegan Shopping List: The Ultimate Guide for practical ideas on what to put in your basket.

How can you tell if a food is suitable for a vegan diet?

Look first at any vegan claim or certification mark, then read the full ingredients list and allergen information. In the UK, the term "vegan" is not defined in food law, but a vegan label means no ingredients of animal origin were intentionally used. Always verify the ingredients yourself rather than relying on the claim alone.

A recognised vegan trademark, such as The Vegan Society's sunflower logo, indicates the product has been checked against independent standards covering ingredients and production. Even then, scan the ingredients list. Allergens of animal origin (milk, egg, fish, crustaceans, molluscs) must be emphasised in bold or another clear style. Manufacturer contact details can help if any ingredient remains unclear.

Which ingredients should vegans check on a food label?

Focus on the ingredient list, which, by law, appears in descending order of weight. Look for any dairy, egg or other animal-derived substances. Less obvious items can appear under technical names or E-numbers, so a quick systematic check is more reliable than relying on front-of-pack claims.

Look out for the following dairy ingredients:

• Milk
• Milk powder
• Whey
• Casein/caseinates
• Lactose
• Butter
• Cream
• Cheese and related derivatives

These must be declared and emphasised if they are among the regulated allergens.

Look out for the following egg ingredients:

• Egg
• Egg white
• Egg yolk
• Albumen or albumin
• Mayonnaise that contains egg

Again, these appear in bold when they are allergens.

Look out for the following less obvious animal-derived ingredients:

• Gelatine
• Honey
• Beeswax (E901)
• Shellac (E904)
• Carmine or cochineal (E120)
• Colourings
• "Natural flavours"
• Some E-numbers are animal-derived

If the source is unclear, contact the manufacturer or choose an alternative with clearer labelling.

What is the difference between vegan, vegetarian and plant-based labels?

These terms are not interchangeable. Vegetarian products exclude meat and fish but may contain dairy, eggs or honey. Vegan products exclude all animal-derived ingredients. "Plant-based" is a marketing description that is not legally defined and does not automatically equal vegan.

At McGrocer, shoppers may encounter products such as PG Tips "Plant Based" tea bags and Lurpak "Plant Based" butter sitting alongside certified vegan items. This is a useful reminder that "plant-based" should not automatically be treated as confirmation that a product is vegan. Check the ingredients, allergen information and any specific vegan claim before making your choice.

Lurpak Plant Based — an example of the "plant-based" labelling that shouldn't automatically be treated as confirmation a product is vegan. — View this product on McGrocer

What should you check besides the ingredients list?

Besides the ingredient list, check the allergen information, any "may contain" statements, product claims, certification marks and, where relevant, nutritional information. However, these details can reveal important information about allergens, potential cross-contact, product suitability and nutritional value, helping you make a more informed choice rather than relying on the ingredients list alone.

What does "may contain" mean for vegan shoppers?

"May contain" means that egg, milk, fish, etc., are listed as precautionary allergens, signalling a possible risk of cross-contamination during production. It does not mean milk was deliberately added as an ingredient. The Food Standards Agency notes that vegan products can still carry these statements because manufacturing environments may handle animal-origin allergens.

For most vegans, this is a practical rather than absolute barrier; for people with allergies, it is a safety warning that should be taken seriously.

How should you read a vegan food label when shopping online?

Examine the product title, description, full ingredients list, allergen information, any vegan or plant-based claims, and product images. Online listings sometimes show less detail than a physical pack, so treat incomplete information as a reason to dig deeper or choose a clearer alternative.

If the online product information is unclear, do not guess or assume. Check every available field, look for manufacturer details, and if necessary select a product that states its vegan status and ingredients.

McGrocer's purchasing data shows that confectionery and chocolate feature prominently among its vegan and plant-based purchases, alongside categories such as plant-based drinks and dairy alternatives. Because products in these categories can have different descriptions and claims, checking the ingredients, allergen information and certification details is particularly important when comparing products online.

For more ideas on everyday vegan products to consider, see our guide to 10 Everyday Vegan Foods to Add to Your Shopping List.

How can you use food labels to make better vegan choices?

A vegan claim tells you about suitability, not nutritional quality. Once you have confirmed the product is free from intentional animal-derived ingredients, look at the nutrition panel for protein, salt, sugars, saturated fat, calcium and vitamin B12. These figures help you choose products that fit your overall dietary goals rather than assuming every vegan item is automatically healthier.

Where can you find suitable vegan products more easily?

McGrocer's data shows that orders containing vegan or plant-based products average around 5.4 items, compared with about 3.5 items across the store overall. This suggests that shoppers using the category may often be building a broader basket rather than buying a single specialist product, making it useful to have suitable staples, alternatives and everyday groceries available together.

Browsing McGrocer's curated vegan and plant-based ranges in one place reduces the need to check every label from scratch.

Make Reading Vegan Labels Part of Your Shopping Routine

A quick check of the ingredients, allergen information, vegan claims and certification marks can make shopping easier and help you choose products with greater confidence. When shopping online, use the product information available to compare suitable options before adding them to your basket.

Explore McGrocer's vegan and plant-based grocery selection to find everyday products from multiple UK retailers in one place.