Is Sugar Considered Plant-Based? A Deep Dive into Sugar Production

January 9, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, a significant portion of sugar in the United States is refined using bone char, a substance made from animal bones. This fact complicates the seemingly simple question: is sugar considered plant-based?

Quick Summary

Sugar's status as plant-based is complex and depends on its source and refining process. While derived from plants like sugarcane or sugar beets, refined cane sugar may use bone char for filtration, making it non-vegan. Organic and beet sugars are reliably vegan.

Key Points

Source Matters: Sugar comes from plants (sugarcane or sugar beets), but the refining process determines its vegan status.
The Bone Char Factor: Conventional white and brown cane sugar are often filtered using bone char, a substance made from animal bones, making it non-vegan for many.
Beet Sugar is Vegan: Sugar derived from sugar beets is always vegan as it does not require bone char for processing.
Organic is Safe: In the US, certified USDA Organic sugar is guaranteed vegan as bone char is prohibited in its production.
Know Your Label: Look for 'vegan certified,' 'USDA Organic,' 'beet sugar,' or 'unrefined' to ensure your sugar is plant-based.
Refined vs. Unrefined: Unrefined sugars like turbinado or muscovado bypass the bone char filtration process and are vegan-friendly.

The Core of the Contention: Cane vs. Beet Sugar

Sugar originates from plants, specifically sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane is a tropical grass, while sugar beets are a root vegetable. Both yield sucrose, but their processing for white granulated sugar differs significantly.

Sugarcane Processing and the Use of Bone Char

Sugarcane juice is extracted, clarified, and boiled to form raw sugar. To achieve white sugar, raw cane sugar is refined. Some refineries use bone char, made from charred cattle bones, to filter and de-colorize the sugar. Although no bone char remains in the final product, its use in processing makes the sugar non-vegan for many.

Sugar Beet Processing: The Vegan Alternative

Sugar beets process differently and do not require bone char for whitening. The juice is purified using a method without animal products, making sugar derived solely from sugar beets always vegan and plant-based.

How to Determine if Your Sugar is Vegan

Identifying vegan sugar requires looking for specific cues as conventional labels don't disclose bone char use.

Organic Certification: USDA Certified Organic sugar in the U.S. does not use bone char.
Beet Sugar: Products labeled 'beet sugar' are vegan.
Vegan Label: A certified vegan label guarantees no animal products were used.
Unrefined Sugar: Varieties like turbinado or muscovado skip bone char filtration.
Contact the Manufacturer: For conventional cane sugar, contacting the company is the only way to confirm their filtering method.

Comparison Table: Cane vs. Beet Sugar


Feature	Cane Sugar (Conventional)	Sugar Beet Sugar
Source Plant	Sugarcane	Sugar Beets
Processing	Often involves filtration with bone char for whitening	No bone char used in processing
Vegan Status	Potentially not vegan, depends on the refinery	Always vegan
Appearance	White	White
Labeling	Often labeled 'pure cane sugar' or 'sugar'; no bone char disclosure required	May be labeled 'beet sugar' or 'sugar'; source often undisclosed
Guaranteed Vegan Options	Organic, unrefined (turbinado, muscovado), or explicitly labeled vegan	All beet sugar options

Common Sugars and Their Vegan Status

White Granulated Sugar: Can be cane or beet. May not be vegan unless organic or labeled as such.
Brown Sugar: Usually refined white sugar with molasses added, its vegan status depends on the white sugar source.
Powdered/Confectioner's Sugar: Ground granulated sugar. Vegan status depends on the base sugar.
Raw Sugar: Minimally processed cane sugar, typically vegan.
Coconut Sugar: Made from coconut palm sap, minimally processed and vegan.
Date Sugar: Ground dried dates, unrefined and plant-based.

Conclusion: The Nuanced Reality of Plant-Based Sugar

While sugar starts from plants, the refining of conventional cane sugar often involves bone char. Vegans should seek certified organic sugar, vegan-labeled sugar, unrefined sugars, or beet sugar to ensure no animal products were used. Understanding the source and processing allows for informed choices aligning with plant-based values.

Vegan-Friendly Sugar Brands

Several brands offer vegan-friendly sugar options, including Wholesome Sweeteners, Florida Crystals (organic and vegan-certified), Zulka (uses no bone char), Now Foods (many products are vegan), Trader Joe's Organic Sugar, and Sugar In The Raw (turbinado sugar is unrefined). To be certain, always check brand websites or contact customer service. A database for vegan products is available at the Vegan Society website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all sugar contains bone char. Only some refined cane sugars are processed using bone char for filtration. Beet sugar and all certified organic sugars are not processed with bone char.

Most commercial brown sugar is made by adding molasses back into refined white sugar. Its plant-based status depends on whether the original white sugar was processed with bone char.

If a sugar package is explicitly labeled 'beet sugar,' you can be certain it is made from beets. Otherwise, it can be difficult to tell from the label alone, as manufacturers are not required to specify the source. Look for organic or vegan certifications for a guarantee.

No, the final sugar product does not contain any bone char particles. The bone char is used purely as a filtering agent and is not an ingredient in the sugar itself. The use of an animal product in the manufacturing process is what makes it non-vegan.

Yes, plant-based alternatives such as maple syrup (from maple trees) and agave nectar (from agave plants) are consistently vegan, as their production does not involve any animal byproducts.

Sugar companies are not legally required to disclose whether bone char was used in the refining process on their packaging. This is why looking for specific certifications like 'USDA Organic' or 'Vegan Certified' is necessary.

Similar to brown sugar, powdered sugar's vegan status depends on the origin of the granulated sugar used to make it. If the base granulated sugar was processed with bone char, the powdered sugar is not vegan. Always check for organic or vegan labeling.