The Vegan Label-Reader's Allergen Guide
Vegans read labels for animal ingredients; allergy sufferers read them for allergens. This guide maps where the two overlap — the E-numbers that are both animal-derived and allergen-relevant.
The overlaps: lysozyme (E1105) is egg — an allergen and non-vegan. Lactitol (E966) is milk — an allergen and non-vegan. Lecithin (E322) can be soya (allergen, vegan) or egg (allergen, non-vegan). The fish-derived flavour enhancers (E631, E635) are non-vegetarian and relevant to fish allergy. Meanwhile the biggest vegan traps — carmine (E120), gelatine (E441), shellac (E904), beeswax (E901) — are not declared allergens at all, which is exactly why they're easy to miss: no bold text flags them.
The habit that covers both bases: scan the bold allergens first, then check our animal-derived E-numbers list for the unbolded traps.
Where allergens and animal-derived additives overlap
| E-Number | Name | Safety | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Safe | Full details |
| E966 | Lactitol | Safe | Full details |
| E322 | Lecithins | Safe | Full details |
| E631 | Disodium Inosinate | Safe | Full details |
| E635 | Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides | Safe | Full details |
| E120 | Carmine | Some Concerns | Full details |
| E441 | Gelatine | Safe | Full details |
| E904 | Shellac | Safe | Full details |
| E901 | Beeswax | Safe | Full details |
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This page is for general information and does not provide medical or dietary advice.