Are Pig Bones Used to Make Sugar? The Truth About Bone Char

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

While the vast majority of sugar comes from plants like sugarcane and beets, a surprising fact for many is that some refining processes involve animal products. It’s a common misconception that pig bones are directly used to make sugar, but the reality is more nuanced, revolving around a filter known as bone char.

Quick Summary

Some white cane sugar is filtered through bone char, a charcoal made from animal bones, to achieve a white color. Beet sugar and certified organic sugars do not use this process. No bone particles remain in the final product.

Key Points

Bone Char is the real issue: The concern isn't about bones being in the sugar itself, but about the use of bone char—a charcoal made from animal bones—as a filter during processing.
Not all sugar uses bone char: Bone char is used in the refining of some sugarcane, but not for sugar derived from sugar beets.
No bone residue in sugar: The bone char acts as a filter and is removed before the sugar is packaged, meaning no animal particles are present in the final product.
Not typically pig bones: The bones used to create bone char are predominantly from cattle, though some reports mention other livestock like pigs.
Vegan, Organic, and Beet Sugar are Safe: For a guaranteed bone char-free option, choose sugar labeled as 'Certified Organic', 'Vegan', or made from 100% sugar beets.
Religious dietary rules vary: The use of bone char is generally considered acceptable under kosher law due to its processing, but perspectives can differ within other religious groups.
Bone char affects brown sugar: Since most brown sugar is made by adding molasses to refined white cane sugar, it may also be filtered with bone char.

Understanding the Sugar Refining Process

Sugar is extracted from two primary plants: sugarcane and sugar beets. The refinement process for each differs significantly and is the key to understanding the potential use of animal-derived products. In the initial stages, both sources yield a dark, impure syrup that needs clarification and purification before becoming the sparkling white sugar we recognize.

Sugarcane Refining and the Role of Bone Char

The process for refining sugarcane is where the use of bone char comes into play. After the cane is crushed and the juice is extracted, it is heated and treated with lime to clarify it. The resulting brown syrup is then filtered to remove impurities and color. Traditionally, and still commonly in North America, this filtration step is performed using 'bone char'.

Bone char is a porous, black, granular material created by charring animal bones—specifically, heating them in an oxygen-free environment. The bones are primarily sourced from cattle, not pigs, but some reports suggest that a mix of livestock, including pigs, could be used. The char acts as an activated carbon filter, effectively adsorbing color-causing compounds and other impurities to produce a pure, white sugar. Importantly, the bone char is a processing agent, and no actual bone fragments or chemical components of the char end up in the finished sugar.

Sugar Beet Refining and Alternatives

Sugar beet processing is a much more straightforward affair when it comes to filtration. Beet sugar, unlike cane sugar, does not require a bone char filter to achieve its white color. The impurities in beet juice are more easily removed, typically through a different series of chemical and physical processes that do not involve animal products. This inherent difference makes beet sugar a consistently vegan-friendly option without special labeling.

Modern Alternatives to Bone Char

With the rise of veganism and consumer demand for ethically-sourced products, many sugar refineries have adopted bone char alternatives. These include granular activated carbon filters derived from sources like wood or coconut, or ion-exchange resin systems. Certified organic sugar is also guaranteed to be bone char-free under USDA regulations, as bone char is not on the list of allowed substances. This means consumers who wish to avoid any animal-derived processing aids can confidently choose organic sugar, regardless of its source plant.

Ethical and Religious Considerations

For those adhering to specific dietary principles, the use of bone char presents a moral or religious dilemma, even if the final product is chemically pure. Vegans, who avoid all products involving animal exploitation, often opt for beet sugar, organic sugar, or unrefined cane sugars like turbinado and muscovado, which skip the bone char filtration step.

For followers of halal and kosher dietary laws, the issue is more complex. Kosher authorities generally consider sugar refined with bone char acceptable because the intense heating process transforms the bone material, and no bone char is present in the final sugar product. Islamic rulings can vary, but many scholars also permit its use due to the transformation of the bone during processing and the lack of physical contact in the end product. However, some individuals prefer to err on the side of caution and avoid it. A comprehensive resource on animal byproducts in foods can be found on the PETA website.

Comparison of Sugar Types


Sugar Type	Source Plant	Refining Process	Vegan-Friendly?	Bone Char Use?
Conventional White Sugar	Sugarcane	Often uses bone char filtration for decolorization.	No (for some)	Yes, commonly in the US
Beet Sugar	Sugar Beet	Does not use bone char; relies on other methods.	Yes	No
Certified Organic Sugar	Sugarcane or Beet	Must use non-animal methods like granular carbon.	Yes	No
Raw Sugar	Sugarcane	Minimal processing; filtration step is skipped.	Yes	No
Brown Sugar	Varies	Often refined white sugar with molasses added back in.	Varies by manufacturer	Dependent on the initial white sugar's process
Confectioner's Sugar	Varies	Powdered white sugar with cornstarch.	Varies by manufacturer	Dependent on the initial white sugar's process

Identifying Vegan-Friendly Sugar

To ensure your sugar is free from bone char, look for the following labels:

Certified Organic: The USDA's organic program prohibits the use of bone char.
Vegan Certified: Some brands carry a specific vegan certification logo.
Beet Sugar: If the packaging explicitly states '100% beet sugar', it's bone char-free.
Unrefined Cane Sugar: Products like turbinado, muscovado, and sucanat are less processed and typically do not use bone char.

Conclusion

In summary, the notion that pig bones are used directly in sugar production is a common misinterpretation. The reality is that a decolorizing filter called bone char, primarily made from cattle bones, is used in the refining process of some conventional white cane sugar. This filter does not leave any animal particles in the final product, but its use raises concerns for ethical vegans. Alternatives like beet sugar, certified organic sugar, and unrefined sugars are readily available for those who wish to avoid any contact with animal byproducts in their food processing. By knowing what to look for, consumers can make informed choices that align with their dietary preferences and ethical beliefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the bone char is a filter used to decolorize and purify the sugar. The sugar passes through it, but no particles of the char remain in the final product.

The label often doesn't specify. The best way to be sure is to choose sugar explicitly labeled 'Certified Organic,' 'Vegan,' or from a known beet sugar brand, as these do not use bone char.

No. While some white sugar from sugarcane is refined using bone char, sugar from sugar beets is not. Also, certified organic cane sugar is processed without it.

It depends. Most commercially sold brown sugar is made by adding molasses to refined white cane sugar. Therefore, if the white sugar was processed with bone char, the brown sugar would have been as well.

According to kosher law, the intense burning process that creates bone char transforms it, and because no physical bone char remains in the sugar, the final product is considered kosher.

Yes, many. Excellent vegan alternatives include sugar from sugar beets, certified organic sugar, raw sugars like turbinado, and other sweeteners such as maple syrup, agave nectar, and date sugar.

Bone char is a porous material that is very effective at adsorbing color and other impurities from raw sugarcane syrup, resulting in the bright, clear white sugar that many consumers prefer.