Pitfalls - further information

Products To Watch Out For

• Beer & Wine
Some will have been fined (or made clear) with isinglass, a fish gelatine, or other animal products.

• Cheese
A lot of cheese produced today is entirely vegetarian, and is often marked as such, but be careful - especially with continental cheeses - because traditional rennet (used to make the cheese set) is taken from the stomachs of young calves.

• Chocolate Bars and Sweets
Watch out for gelatine, non-vegetarian whey (made with traditional rennet) and cochineal in some brands.

• Worcestershire Sauce
Some brands contain anchovies.

• Thai Curry Sauce and Paste
May contain fish or fish sauce.

Beyond What You Eat

Many vegetarians prefer to avoid wearing leather and there is now a bigger choice of non-leather shoes and other goods available than ever before. As well as high-street stores, you may want to try specialist shops and mail order outlets.

Toiletries and cosmetics are not all free from animal ingredients. For example, sodium tallowate - a common ingredient in soap - is an animal fat and toothpastes often contain glycerine, which may be derived from animal sources.

Our website is a great resource for seeking out vegetarian-friendly clothing, toiletries, cosmetics and all sorts of other goods, either through our online shop or links to manufacturers and retailers. Vegetarian Society Approved products don’t include any animal ingredients and have not been tested on animals either.

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