7 Sneaky Food Additives That Come From Animals

Food additives are commonly used in products to enhance taste, appearance, and texture. While many additives are synthetic or plant-based, some come from animals. Cochineal, derived from crushed beetles, is commonly used as a red food dye. Other animal-derived additives include shellac from lac beetles, beeswax from bees, lactitol from cow’s milk, edible bone phosphate from animal bones, lanolin from sheep’s wool, and lysozyme from chicken eggs. These additives can be found in a variety of food and cosmetic products, and may not be vegan-friendly.

Animal-derived food additives such as cochineal, shellac, beeswax, lactitol, edible bone phosphate, lanolin, and lysozyme are commonly used in food and cosmetic products. These additives, sourced from insects, animal bones, and animal secretions, may not be vegan-friendly. Consumers should be aware of these sneaky animal-derived additives when checking product labels.