Are There Guidelines For Labeling Vegan Products?

There is no legal obligation to label vegan food. The terms “vegetarian” and “vegan” are also not defined in food law. Even if products are advertised as “purely plant-based”, for example, this does not mean that ingredients derived from animal raw materials – e.g. vitamins or aromas – cannot be included. However, the V-Label of the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), which clearly identifies vegetarian and vegan products, offers a solution. This is intended to create more transparency and prevent vegans from accidentally purchasing products that contain hidden animal products or animal additives such as rennet or gelatine. However, labeling is purely voluntary and only applies to foods whose manufacturers have applied for the label. In addition to the V-Label, there are other seals with which vegan products can be labeled: For example, the Vegan Society’s Vegan Flower and the Vegan Label of the Vegan Society Germany e.V. Labeling with these labels is also voluntary.

The V-Label of the European Vegetarian Union shows a stylized green V with a leaf growing out of it on a yellow background. It is an internationally protected trademark that can be used to identify vegetarian and vegan products. In addition to food packaging, restaurants that meet the requirements of the EVU are also allowed to print the V-Label on their menus. However, the V-Label does not only distinguish vegan food. The label can also be applied to ovo-lacto-vegetarian, Lacto-vegetarian, and ovo-vegetarian products. The writing on the edge of the yellow circle indicates whether the product contains milk or eggs or is completely vegan. If a company wants to apply for the V-Label for its products, it has to fill out a questionnaire and agree to have its production checked on-site for compliance with the requirements.

While foods are usually marked with the EVU’s V-Label, the Vegan Society England awards the so-called “Vegan Flower” to both food and cosmetic products. The word “vegan” in dark green, from which a sunflower grows, may only be used on products that do not contain any animal ingredients or additives and for the manufacture of which no animal testing was carried out.

Vegane Gesellschaft Deutschland e.V. also awards a vegan label for food, textiles, printed matter, and everyday items, which consists of a black V in a jagged green circular shape. This is used to mark vegan products that have been manufactured without animal ingredients and additives and without the use of genetic engineering. Further requirements for this label are the production on our own production facility as well as the renunciation of animal testing.