Unpacking the Bone Char Process
For many, sugar seems like a simple, plant-based product, but the manufacturing process for certain types can be surprisingly complex. The practice of using bone char, or 'natural carbon,' to decolorize sugar is a long-standing method in the industry. Bone char is created by heating cattle bones at high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment. This charred, granular material is then used as a filter in the refining process for some cane sugar.
Historically, bone char was a highly effective and common method for removing impurities and achieving the bright, white color that consumers associate with refined sugar. While the bone char itself does not become a chemical component of the finished sugar—meaning no bone particles are present in the final product—its use as a processing aid renders the sugar non-vegan. This distinction is crucial for many who follow a vegan or plant-based diet, as the practice relies on animal exploitation.
How Bone Char Is Used in Sugar Production
The journey from sugarcane to refined white sugar is multi-staged, and for some manufacturers, bone char plays a key role.
Steps in the process:
- Extraction: Sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice.
- Concentration: This raw juice is then boiled to form a thick syrup, which is crystallized.
- Refining: The raw, brown-colored sugar crystals are sent to a refinery, where they are washed and separated from the molasses.
- Decolorization: This is the stage where bone char, or a plant-based activated carbon, is introduced. The sugar solution is passed through a bed of the granular carbon, which adsorbs the color-producing impurities.
- Final Product: After filtration, the now-colorless sugar solution is re-crystallized, dried, and packaged as white granulated sugar.
Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Sugar: A Comparison
To understand the difference, it's helpful to compare the two main sources of table sugar: sugarcane and sugar beets. While both are plants, their refining processes differ significantly, impacting their vegan status. Organic, raw, and unrefined sugars also offer reliable, bone char-free alternatives.
| Feature | Refined Cane Sugar (Often Non-Vegan) | Beet Sugar (Always Vegan) | Organic/Raw Sugar (Always Vegan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Sugarcane stalks | Sugar beets (a root vegetable) | Either sugarcane or beets |
| Refining Process | Often uses bone char for decolorization | Does not require bone char; uses a different process | Does not use bone char; often undergoes minimal processing |
| Appearance | Bright, stark white | White, virtually identical to refined cane sugar | Off-white to light brown in color |
| Vegan Status | Potentially non-vegan, depending on the manufacturer | Always considered vegan | Always considered vegan if certified |
| Certification | Not necessarily certified vegan | Not always labeled as beet sugar, but always vegan | Certified 'organic' or labeled 'vegan' |
Finding Bone Char-Free Alternatives
For those who wish to avoid sugar processed with bone char, a few reliable options are available. The simplest method is to choose sugar derived from sugar beets. In North America, about half of the market's sugar comes from sugar beets, and this type never requires bone char for processing. However, since most packaging doesn't specify the source, it can be difficult to tell the difference.
To ensure your sugar is vegan, look for one of the following labels:
- USDA Certified Organic: Federal law prohibits the use of bone char in certified organic sugar production, making it a reliable choice for vegans.
- Certified Vegan: Some brands explicitly label their sugar as 'certified vegan.'
- Raw, Unrefined, or Natural: These labels typically indicate that the sugar has not gone through the extensive refining and decolorization process that involves bone char. Examples include demerara and turbinado sugar.
- Other Sweeteners: Beyond sugar, many plant-based sweeteners are naturally vegan and provide a wide array of options.
- Maple syrup
- Agave nectar
- Coconut sugar
- Molasses
- Date sugar
- Brown rice syrup
Conclusion
The use of animal bones in sugar production is a complex and often-overlooked issue for many consumers. While the bone char is a processing aid and not an ingredient in the final product, its role in achieving the pure white color of refined cane sugar has significant ethical implications. However, consumers who wish to avoid products made using animal byproducts have many readily available alternatives, including beet sugar, certified organic sugar, and a variety of unrefined sweeteners. By understanding the source and refining process of sugar, consumers can make more informed choices that align with their ethical and dietary preferences. For those seeking alternatives, exploring different types of sugar and other sweeteners is a simple way to navigate the bone char controversy and support brands that use vegan-friendly processing methods.
Note: Specific companies may have different processes, and while some are known to use bone char, others have transitioned to alternative filters. For absolute certainty on a non-certified product, directly contacting the manufacturer remains the most reliable method.
Sources for Further Information
Green Queen Media, Is Sugar Vegan? Bone Char Filtration, The Industry's Dirty Secret
Do Animal Bones Be Used in Sugar?
- Yes, some sugar is processed with animal bones. Specifically, many types of refined white and brown cane sugar use bone char as a filter during processing.
- The animal bones are not an ingredient. Bone char is a decolorizing filter, and the final sugar product does not contain any bone particles.
- Bone char comes from cattle. The bones are charred at high temperatures to create the carbon filter used in some sugar refining.
- Beet sugar is vegan. Sugar derived from sugar beets does not require bone char for processing and is always vegan-friendly.
- Organic sugar is a safe alternative. Certified USDA organic sugar cannot be processed using bone char.
- Raw or unrefined sugar is also bone char-free. These sugars bypass the filtration process where bone char would be used.
- Not all cane sugar uses bone char. Some companies have moved to vegan-friendly filters like granular activated carbon or ion-exchange systems.
Is all sugar processed with bone char?
No, not all sugar is processed with bone char. Sugar derived from sugar beets never uses bone char, and many brands of cane sugar, particularly those that are certified organic or labeled as vegan, use alternative filtration methods.
Why is bone char used in sugar processing?
Bone char is used in the refining process to decolorize raw sugar, removing impurities that give it a natural brownish tint. This creates the pure, white color that is traditionally expected of granulated table sugar.
How can I know if my sugar is vegan?
To be sure your sugar is vegan, look for specific labels such as 'USDA Certified Organic' or 'Certified Vegan'. If the label specifies that the sugar is from sugar beets, it is also vegan. You can also choose raw or unrefined sugar.
Does brown sugar contain bone char?
Some brown sugar can be produced using bone char. Many brands create brown sugar by adding molasses back to refined white cane sugar that has been filtered with bone char. To find vegan brown sugar, look for organic or specifically labeled vegan options.
What about powdered sugar?
Powdered sugar, or confectioner's sugar, is typically made from refined white granulated sugar mixed with cornstarch. If the granulated sugar used was processed with bone char, then the powdered sugar will also be non-vegan.
Are there vegan alternatives to refined sugar?
Yes, there are many vegan sugar alternatives, including maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut sugar, molasses, date sugar, and brown rice syrup. Certified organic sugar and beet sugar are also vegan-friendly options.
