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Got a question? Vegan Society FAQs

Below is a selection of responses to past queries received by our Information Department. Check here to see if there is already an answer to your question!

General information questions

Can you tell me if a product is suitable for vegans?

The best way to find out if a product is suitable for vegans is to ask the company that produces it.

Some companies put information about their vegan-suitable products on their website. If not, the company should be able to confirm by email or phone whether or not the product is suitable for vegans.

In the case of food products, it is usually possible to tell from the label whether or not the product is suitable for vegans.

As a consumer, there are two main advantages to contacting the company directly:

- You are getting accurate information about the product

Companies do change the ingredients of their products so it’s best to get the most up-to-date information possible.

- You are helping to make the world a more vegan-friendly place!

Every time you ask a company about its vegan products, you are showing the company that there is consumer demand for vegan products and vegan labelling.

Customers getting in touch with companies is the best way of encouraging them to produce more vegan products and label them as suitable for vegans in the future.

I'm interested in becoming vegan - can you send me some information on veganism?

All our information about vegan living is freely available on our websites.

Have a look at our Guide to Vegan Living website: www.guidetoveganliving.org.uk. This site aims to tell you everything you everything you need to know about becoming and staying vegan.

It advises on topics such as eating out as a vegan, giving up cheese and dealing with other people, as well as food and nutrition basics.

If you have questions or would like some help and support in becoming or staying vegan, have a look at our Vegan Pledge scheme: www.vegansociety.com/veganpledge/

The Vegan Pledge enables non-vegans to try out being vegan for a week, two weeks or a month, with the option of having personalised help and support from your own vegan mentor.

This will be an experienced vegan, in your region or country where possible, who will be available to answer any questions you may have about life as a vegan (usually by email).

If you’re a new vegan and would like some help getting going, you’re welcome to sign up too.

You can also view all our leaflets and booklets online on this page: www.vegansociety.com/resources/downloads.aspx

Finding local vegans, groups or societies

Where can I find other vegans in my area?

The Vegan Society has a network of local contacts and groups across the UK and Eire who would be happy to hear from you. Have a look at the Local Contacts page to find the contacts and groups nearest to you and get in touch.

If you live in a country other than the UK or Ireland, your national vegan or vegetarian society may be able to help. Search the International Vegetarian Union database for vegan societies or groups in your country: http://www.ivu.org

The Vegan Society has Facebook fans from all around the world. If you use Facebook, come over to our page and post a message for vegans in your area: www.facebook.com/TheVeganSociety

Events

Can you publicise my vegan event?

If your event is vegan and not-for-profit, we may be able to help let other vegans know about it in the following ways:

You are welcome to post details of suitable events on our Facebook page. If it is considered appropriate, we can repost it as a status update targeted at Facebook fans in your area.

To submit details for the events calendar on our website, please email details of your event to info@vegansociety.com

Can I order some leaflets and booklets to give out at my event?

If you live in the UK, we are able to send limited amounts of leaflets and booklets in the post for use at events. Please see the leaflets and booklets page to see what’s available, how to request materials and make a donation.

There is no charge for leaflets and booklets, although you are welcome to make a donation towards costs if you wish.

If you would like to read the leaflets for your own reference, you can view them all online on the leaflets and booklets page.

Food, eating out and vegan products

Where can I buy [xyz] vegan food product?*

If you know the name of the product or brand you are looking for, look on the company’s website for their list of stockists.

If an ingredient listed in a recipe book sounds unfamiliar, it may be the name of a brand that is sold in a different country (for instance, if you live in the UK and are cooking from an American recipe book). If you can’t tell what the ingredient is, put the product name into a search engine to find out what it is.

In the UK, some vegan ‘alternative’ food products are readily available in supermarkets, such as non-dairy milks, soya yoghurts, vegan sausages, etc.

A wider range of vegan alternative food products can often be found in:

- independent wholefoods shops (have a look on www.happycow.net to find your local vegan-friendly shops),
- the ‘free-from’ sections in larger supermarkets,
- high street health food shop chains, and
- online shops specialising in vegan and vegetarian products.

*Of course, you don’t have to buy any ‘specialist’ food products to follow a vegan diet. Most everyday foods in a vegan diet can be obtained from the same places as any other foods - the usual shops, supermarkets, markets, etc. - but if you’re searching for a particular product that isn’t widely available in your usual shops, the above are useful places to look.

Where can I eat out in [xyz city/country]?

Have a look at our Travel and Eating Out page for a list of resources to help you find vegan-friendly restaurants in the UK and other countries.

How can I encourage restaurants in my area/the canteen at work to cater for vegans?

Give them a copy of our Vegan Catering for All booklet, our guide for professional caterers. If you are in the UK, email us at info@vegansociety.com for free paper copies, or send them a link to the booklet online: http://www.vegansociety.com/downloads/VeganCateringForAll.pdf

You can also point out some of the advantages of providing vegan options, such as:

-   Vegan dishes are not just for vegans: an attractive vegan dish will also meet the needs of a wide variety of customers including vegetarians, many people with religious dietary requirements, healthy eaters, those watching their weight, customers who want a lighter option than a meat and dairy-laden meal, and anyone who likes to try something a bit different when they eat out.

-   A group of people including one vegan looking for somewhere to eat out will choose a restaurant which caters for vegans – so even if there is only one vegan in the group, a restaurant can win the custom of, say, ten or fifteen people by providing at least one good vegan option.

-   Vegan dishes are often easy to make colourful and attractive, particularly with the range of colourful vegetables and fruits that can be used to create attractive-looking dishes which will appeal to customers.

-    Practically every restaurant has at least one or two vegetarian options on the menu and usually a selection of vegetarian dishes. Restaurants would only need to make one of their vegetarian options also be suitable for vegans in order to widen their potential customer base.

What do you use instead of eggs for baking cakes?

Have a look at our Egg-free cooking and baking page for tips on vegan baking and converting non-vegan cake recipes. Also bear in mind that there are literally thousands of vegan cake and dessert recipes in books and on the internet, so if there is a particular cake or other dish you would like a vegan version of, you may well be able to find a vegan recipe for it which was designed to work without eggs in the first place.

Is this ingredient/additive/E-number vegan?

The website Food-info.net has a list of e-numbers which includes information on whether or not they are suitable for vegans. Look at the description of an individual e-number in the 'e-numbers' section of the site, or their page 'e-numbers of animal origin'.

If you are not sure whether or not a particular product is suitable for vegans because it contains an e-number or other additive which can be either animal or plant-based, or an additive which is not adequately described, do contact the company to ask for information. As well as finding out whether or not the product is suitable for vegans, contacting companies also shows them that there is demand for vegan products and vegan labelling.

Also see the Hidden Ingredients page for a list of common animal-derived ingredients to watch out for when food shopping.

Where can I buy vegan cosmetics and toiletries?

Many vegan cosmetics and toiletries now carry the Vegan Society’s Trademark, to demonstrate to customers that these products are suitable for vegans. Have a look in our Trademark section to find vegan products and companies who produce them.

Nutrition and health

Where do I get [xyz nutrient] on a vegan diet?

Have a look at our Plant based Nutrition booklet (pdf) for a straightforward guide to ensuring a well-planned vegan diet.

There is also more detail about individual nutrients in the Nutrition section of this website.

The book Plant based Nutrition and Health written by Stephen Walsh and published by the Vegan Society offers in-depth scientific information regarding many aspects of vegan nutrition and health. It is available to buy from our online shop.

Can you tell me where I can find a vegan nutritionist?

Individuals needing professional advice to help them maintain a well-planned diet, perhaps due to particular medical needs, can make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian.

The website Freelance Dietitians, run by a specialist group of the British Dietetic Association, has details of freelance Registered Dietitians who specialise in vegetarian and vegan diets. In the search form on their website, select "vegetarian and vegan diets" from the drop down list “areas of interest”.

I'm vegan and intolerant to soya - do you have any information which can help me?

lthough many ready-made vegan food products contain soya, eating a soya-free plant-based diet is entirely possible. This is good news for the unlucky few who are unable to eat soya! Have a look at our Soya-free foods page for soya-free ingredients, protein sources, food products and recipes.

I've heard that eating soya can cause health problems - is this true?

There have been no reliable studies which have shown that the inclusion of soya in the diet has harmful effects on health. For further details see dietitian Sandra Hood’s article on soya.

Can I get Vitamin B12 from chlorella/spirulina/unwashed vegetables?

The only reliable vegan sources of B12 are foods fortified with B12 (including some plant milks, some soya products and some breakfast cereals) and B12 supplements. Vitamin B12, whether in supplements, fortified foods, or animal products, comes from micro-organisms.

To get the full benefit of a vegan diet, vegans should do one of the following:

•   eat fortified foods two or three times a day to get at least three micrograms (μg or mcg) of B12 a day or
•   take one B12 supplement daily providing at least 10 micrograms (the Vegan Society's Veg1 multivitamin contains 10 micrograms of B12) or
•   take a weekly B12 supplement providing at least 2000 micrograms.

If relying on fortified foods check the labels carefully to make sure you are getting enough B12. For example, if a fortified plant milk contains 1 microgram of B12 per serving then consuming three servings a day will provide adequate vitamin B12. Others may find the use of B12 supplements more convenient and economical.

The less frequently you obtain B12 the more B12 you need to take, as B12 is best absorbed in small amounts. The recommendations above take full account of this. There is no harm in exceeding the recommended amounts or combining more than one option.

For more information see our Vitamin B12 page.

Vegan Children

Is there a vegan infant formula on sale?

Unfortunately there is currently no infant formula on sale which is suitable for vegans.

There are soya-based formulas available (such as such as Cow & Gate’s Infasoy and SMA’s Wysoy), however these are fortified with Vitamin D3 which is usually derived from lanolin. The vegan-suitable brand which was previously available, Heinz Nurture Soya (previously known as Farleys Soya) is no longer manufactured.

It is important that ordinary soya milk should not substituted for soya infant formula as it does not contain the proper ratio of protein, fat, carbohydrate, nor the vitamins and minerals required to be used as a sole food.

Where can I get information on vegan diets for children?

The Vegan Society publishes, “Feeding your vegan infant – with confidence” written by Sandra Hood, State Registered Dietitian. This comprehensive book covers pre-conception and pregnancy nutrition, breastfeeding, weaning, baby and toddler nutrition and recipe ideas, problem solving and vegan parents’ experiences. It is available from The Vegan Society’s online shop.

There is also information in the Parenting section of our website.

At what age can children be given soya milk?

Non-dairy milks can be included the diet from the age of six months as part of weaning but are not suitable as a main drink at this stage. Try to choose varieties which are higher in fat and fortified with vitamins and calcium.

Breast milk and/or infant formula should be the main drinks in the diet throughout the first year of life.

Veg1

Veg1 is the Vegan Society's multivitamin, specifically formulated to meet the needs of vegans but suitable for everyone.

Veg1 is available to purchase from the Vegan Society's online shop and can be shipped outside the UK.

Which vitamins and minerals does Veg1 contain?

Veg1 contains:

Vitamin B2: 1.6 milligrams
Vitamin B6: 2 milligrams
Folic Acid: 200 micrograms
Vitamin B12: 10 micrograms
Vitamin D (as D2): 10 micrograms
Iodine: 150 micrograms
Selenium: 60 micrograms

What are the ingredients in Veg1?

Full ingredients list:

Sugar, Dextrose, Acacia, Selenomethionine (Selenium), Stearic Acid, Flavour (Blackcurrant), Ergocalciferol Preparation (D2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B6), Magnesium Stearate, Riboflavin (B2), PVP, Folacin (Folic Acid), Potassium Iodide (Iodine), Cyanocobalamin (B12)

Is Veg1 suitable for children?

Children aged 2-12 can take half a tablet per day, chewed or crushed.

Other vitamin supplements and medication

Can you tell me if the medication I have been prescribed is vegan? Can you tell me if there are vegan medications for a particular health condition?

There is guidance on how to find out which medications are free from animal ingredients on the animal-free medications page.

This page also includes a limited list of common over-the-counter medicines, such as painkillers, which the manufacturers have informed us are free from animal ingredients

Where can I buy vegan vitamin D supplements?

Deva Nutrition produce two vegan Vitamin D-only supplements which are registered with the Vegan Society: http://www.devanutrition.com/vitamins_minerals.html Their website lists details of UK stockists: http://www.devanutrition.com/online-stores.html

The vitamin D spray 'Vitashine' is also suitable for vegans and is registered with the Vegan Society.

Where can I buy vegan glucosamine?

Our Trademarked Products section has details of a number of vegan glucosamine supplements, just search for 'glucosamine'.

Where can I buy other supplements that are suitable for vegans?

For other supplements, have a look at our Trademarked Products section to find supplements registered with the Vegan Society or see our Multivitamins and Minerals page for a list of companies which produce vegan supplements.

My doctor has told me that I need to take EPA/DHA supplements for Omega 3s - is there a vegan alternative to fish oil supplements?

Yes - there are vegan EPA/DHA supplements available which are made from algae. Nuique, Deva Nutrition and Opti3 are brands of vegan EPA/DHA algae supplements which are registered with the Vegan Society.

Vegan Society Trademark (the Vegan Logo/Vegan Sunflower)

What does your Trademark mean?

The Vegan Society Trademark shows that the product displaying it:

- does not contain any animal ingredients, and
- the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals by the manufacturer or by any third party over whom the manufacturer has effective control.

These details are verified by the Vegan Society's Trademark Assistant before products are authorised to display the Trademark.

For further details please see our Trademark Standards page.

Does your Trademark cover animal testing?

Yes. The Trademark shows that the product displaying it, and its ingredients, have not been tested on animals by or for the manufacturer.

I manufacture vegan products - can I use your Trademark?

Manufacturers are welcome to register their vegan products with us. Please see our Trademark pages for more information about the Trademark and details of how to apply, or contact our Business Development department: trademark@vegansociety.com.

Why does your Trademark appear on products which are owned by a non-vegan company?

The Vegan Society’s Trademark scheme registers individual products which are suitable for vegans.

The Vegan Society Trademark shows that the product displaying it:

- does not contain any animal ingredients, and
- the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals by the manufacturer or by any third party over whom the manufacturer has effective control.

The Trademark applies only to products. The use of the Trademark on a vegan product does not indicate that all of the company’s products, brands or other activities are vegan.

For this reason, The Vegan Society officially does not endorse, approve or certify any of its Trademark holder companies or their products; we ‘register’ their products as complying with our requirements.

The Vegan Society wishes to actively encourage companies to produce more vegan products and to clearly label their vegan-suitable products.

This in turn makes shopping for vegan products easier for consumers, and increases awareness amongst the general public of vegan products, The Vegan Society and veganism. These factors ultimately contribute towards encouraging more people to become vegan.

As companies add more vegan products to their ranges, it can be hoped that this will be in place of them producing non-vegan products, and therefore reducing their (ab)use of animals.

Refusing involvement with companies because they are not already 100% vegan would significantly prevent us from encouraging companies to produce more vegan products and provide better vegan labelling for consumers.

Employment/vacancies

Are there any job vacancies at The Vegan Society?

As The Vegan Society is a relatively small organisation we don’t have vacancies on a regular basis. When we do, they are advertised on:

- the Vacancies page
- the Latest News page, which you can also subscribe to as an RSS feed
- our ebulletins (which you can sign up to using the sign up box in the top right hand corner of this website)
- our Facebook page

The Vegan magazine

Can I submit an article for your magazine?

If you would like to submit an article for the magazine editor’s consideration, please email it to editor@vegansociety.com. This does not guarantee that your article will be included in the magazine, however the editor does read and consider all articles submitted.

Articles should be suitable for a primarily vegan audience and with a positive theme where possible.

Please note that we do not usually pay for content for the magazine.

Can you feature my recipe book in your magazine?

The Vegan magazine does feature some reviews of vegan recipe books. If your recipe book is 100% vegan, you are welcome to send a review copy to the editor for our consideration. Our postal address can be found on the Contact Us page.

Please be aware that this does not guarantee that your book will be featured in the magazine. We do not normally return review copies.

How can I advertise in The Vegan magazine? What are your advertising rates?

Please contact advertising@vegansociety.com or phone 0121 523 1733 for details.