Why Is Vegan Certification Needed?

Veganism is growing at an average rate of 1,500% per year and is often the top search term in cities. Undeniably, the vegan, plant-based lifestyle is multiplying, so it is no surprise that the global market for ethically packaged and labeled food is expected to become a trillion-dollar industry within just a few years.

The Importance of Vegan Certification

Generally speaking, veganism - even the word itself - is not explicitly defined in law. Anyone can call themselves a vegan, but the question is, by what standard? The word 'vegan' has no legal regulation or definition. Current labeling laws allow companies and products to label themselves vegan when the product may not meet vegan standards. The government considers them incidental and insignificant ingredients, but the ever-growing number of vegan consumers does not see it that way. To ensure vegan quality assurance, the International Vegan Alliance requires companies to disclose all ingredients, processes and trade secrets.

Carefully reading the ingredient list is often not enough to reassure vegan consumers whether a product is vegan-compliant.

Misleading Labels

The use of animal ingredients is often hidden behind vaguely conceived names. For example, 'natural activated carbon' can usually come from animal bone char, and 'natural coloring' may be the body components of insects.

Information Not Disclosed on Labels

Labeling laws do not require disclosure of all trade secrets, because the quantity and proportion added are limited and are therefore considered 'insignificant,' or because they are removed after the production cycle is complete and are therefore 'incidental' and 'insignificant.' This is the case for technical aids and processing aids used in food preparation, very common in the refining and clarification of alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer and spirits. In addition, products tested on animals are not disclosed anywhere on the product label or packaging.

Vegan certification must consider ingredients, ingredient sources, ingredient supply chains, ingredient definitions, and experiments on the production process to eliminate incidental cross-contamination, and even intended use. Consumers interested in veganism who search for vegan-certified products have the right to know for certain that the products they buy and consume meet their expectations for the vegan claim label. The International Vegan Alliance considers product ingredients, process requirements and testing before granting the use of its internationally recognized Vegan certification trademark.

What Does Being Vegan Mean?

Vegans are people who do not consume animal products and reject animal testing; they do not use animal products in daily life (i.e. beverages, food, cosmetics, clothing, etc.). For this reason, vegans' purchasing decisions are stricter, more deliberate and more conscious.

Consumers adopt veganism for various reasons: compassion for animals, environmental sustainability, and/or scientifically proven health benefits. In fact, veganism is spreading worldwide, and consumers are looking for plant-based vegan products with a vegan certification mark to legitimize vegan claims. Consumers need honest information. Statistics show that 80% of people who buy vegan products or frequently visit vegan restaurants are not even self-described vegans, but conscious consumers leaning toward a healthier vegan and plant-based lifestyle. Most importantly, consumers are looking for the vegan mark, and more than half of purchasing habits are based on the vegan label.