Tag: Bone char

In a 2023 study, two-thirds of Brits were reportedly unaware that many of their favorite sweets contained "hidden meat," a statistic that highlights a lack of consumer knowledge. While no one is eating literal bones in sweets, many chewy candies contain gelatin, which is a protein derived from the bones, skin, and connective tissues of animals.

While most charcoal is derived from plant matter like wood and coconut shells, a specific and non-vegan form known as bone char exists and is used in certain industrial processes. This makes it essential for vegans to understand the sourcing and production methods behind charcoal before using products that contain it.

While the popular RAW-branded filter tips are explicitly vegan-friendly and made from natural fibers, the term "raw filter" can also refer to a wide array of filtration agents, some of which may surprisingly contain animal byproducts like bone char. The vegan status of a filter is not guaranteed simply by the term "raw," requiring careful investigation into its specific composition.

Though sugar comes from plants like sugarcane and beets, the refining process for some types can involve animal-derived products. This raises the critical question: is sugar in a vegan diet, and how can ethical consumers be sure?

According to the official Monster Energy FAQ, its products are not “vegan certified,” which immediately raises questions for those on a plant-based diet. So, what makes Monster not vegan, and are all of its popular varieties off-limits for conscientious consumers?

Over half of the sugar sold in the U.S. is derived from sugarcane and is often refined using bone char, a product made from animal bones, which is why the question of what do vegans use instead of sugar is so common. The good news is that a variety of natural and processed sweeteners offer delicious, animal-free options for every vegan baker and home cook.

A common concern among vegans and those with specific dietary needs is the origin of ingredients. A key question revolves around the refining of sugar: is sugar made up of animal bones? The answer involves the use of bone char, a material derived from animal bones, in a part of the refining process.

According to PETA, sugar processed using bone char is a grey area for many vegans, a dilemma that applies to the popular sweet-and-sour candy. A definitive answer to 'are Sour Patch Kids vegan?' is not a simple 'yes' or 'no' and depends heavily on your location and interpretation of vegan ethics. Many mistakenly believe they are always animal-free, but this is often not the case.

Jolly Rancher's manufacturer, Hershey, does not label its candies as vegan due to several ingredients and manufacturing processes. While some varieties appear plant-based, uncertainties exist, which is what makes Jolly Ranchers not vegan for many consumers.

While fluoride is intentionally added to many municipal water supplies to aid dental health, some individuals prefer to reduce or eliminate their exposure. This guide explores how to get fluoride free water using various filtration and purification methods suitable for home use.