Is the vegan checker free?

Yes. It runs in your browser and needs no sign-up. Scans stay private; only voluntary votes on unclear products are stored, without your name.

Why does a product show “Check needed”?

Some additives, such as E471 mono- and diglycerides or E322 lecithin, can be made from plant or animal sources, and labels usually do not say which. Look for a vegan label or ask the manufacturer.

Can I rely on it for allergies?

No. The checker is not an allergy tool. If you have an allergy, rely only on the ingredient list and allergen warnings on the package.

Free Vegan Product & E-number Checker

Vegan Check

How the free vegan checker works

Point your phone camera at the barcode of a food product. The checker looks up the product in Open Food Facts data and reads the ingredient list for animal-derived ingredients and for E-numbers that can come from animal or plant sources.

What the three results mean

Not vegan
The product data lists an animal-derived ingredient, such as milk, egg, gelatine or carmine (E120).
Check needed
Something cannot be classified safely: an additive that can be animal- or plant-derived (for example E471), or a missing ingredient list.
Vegan
No animal-derived ingredient was found in the available product data. Read it as “likely vegan”, not as a guarantee.

Honest limits

Results depend on product data, which can be incomplete or out of date. Recipes change.
The checker can be wrong. Always read the ingredient list on the package before you buy.
A “may contain milk or egg” warning describes possible cross-contact, not the recipe. For allergies, rely only on the package.
Processing aids, such as gelatine used to clarify juice, often do not have to be declared and cannot be detected.

Common non-vegan E-numbers

These additives are always made from animals or insects:

E441 Gelatine
E120 Carmine
E901 Beeswax
E904 Shellac
E913 Lanolin
E542 Edible bone phosphate

Which E-numbers are not vegan? Read the full guide

Know what to cook next

Shopping vegan is easier with a plan. See seven simple vegan dinners with one combined grocery list. Free 7-day vegan meal plan

Questions about the vegan checker

Is the vegan checker free?: Yes. It runs in your browser and needs no sign-up. Scans stay private; only voluntary votes on unclear products are stored, without your name.
Why does a product show “Check needed”?: Some additives, such as E471 mono- and diglycerides or E322 lecithin, can be made from plant or animal sources, and labels usually do not say which. Look for a vegan label or ask the manufacturer.
Can I rely on it for allergies?: No. The checker is not an allergy tool. If you have an allergy, rely only on the ingredient list and allergen warnings on the package.