What Fruits Are Not Vegan? A Guide to Hidden Animal Products

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

While it's common knowledge that all fruits grow from plants, a deeper look at commercial food production reveals some surprising exceptions. For example, over 100,000 lac bugs can be used to create a single kilogram of food-grade shellac, a substance sometimes used to coat produce, revealing that the question of what fruits are not vegan is more complex than it seems. This article uncovers these hidden animal products and guides you on how to make truly vegan choices.

Quick Summary

This guide explores how some commercially processed or conventionally grown fruits may not be vegan due to coatings like beeswax and shellac, preservatives like chitosan, and natural pollination processes involving insects. It details what to look for and how to ensure your fruit choices align with a vegan lifestyle.

Key Points

Hidden Waxes: Some citrus fruits and apples are coated with beeswax (from bees) or shellac (from lac bugs) for a shiny finish and preservation, making them non-vegan.
Shellfish Preservatives: Certain bananas are sprayed with a preservative called chitosan, which is derived from the shells of crabs and shrimp.
The Fig-Wasp Debate: Some figs are pollinated by wasps, which die inside the fruit and are digested, leading some stricter vegans to avoid them.
Additives in Processed Fruit: Processed fruit products like some red-colored juices or desserts may contain carmine (from cochineal insects) or gelatin (from animal collagen).
How to Choose Vegan Fruit: To avoid hidden animal products, look for labels like 'unwaxed' or 'organic' on fresh produce and always check the ingredients on processed items.

The Surprising Truth Behind 'Vegan' Fruit

At face value, all fruits are considered vegan since they are derived from plants. However, the modern food industry's methods for preserving, transporting, and even growing certain fruits introduce animal-derived products that challenge their vegan status. For dedicated vegans, navigating these hidden ingredients is crucial to maintaining a cruelty-free diet.

Animal-Derived Coatings and Preservatives

To extend shelf life and enhance appearance, many fruits are treated with a layer of wax or preservatives after harvesting. Unfortunately, some of these agents are not plant-based and come from animals.

Beeswax: A natural wax secreted by honey bees to build their honeycomb, beeswax is used on various fruits, particularly citrus like oranges, lemons, and limes. It provides a shiny finish and protects the fruit from moisture loss. Since it's a product of animal exploitation, it is not considered vegan.
Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze): This resin is secreted by the female lac bug, native to forests in India and Thailand. It is often used as a glazing agent on citrus fruits and some apples to prevent water loss and provide a glossy sheen. The production process, which involves harvesting the bugs' secretions from tree branches, is a form of animal exploitation and is therefore not vegan.
Chitosan: Used as an antimicrobial coating on fruits like bananas to slow ripening, chitosan is a substance derived from the shells of crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp. This additive makes conventionally grown bananas a non-vegan choice for some individuals.

The Fig and Wasp Symbiotic Relationship

Another ethical gray area for vegans is the pollination process of certain figs. Some species of figs rely on a symbiotic relationship with a specific type of wasp to reproduce.

The female wasp enters the inverted fig flower to lay her eggs and, in doing so, pollinates the fruit. She cannot escape and dies inside the fig.
An enzyme within the fig, called ficin, then digests the wasp's body, turning it into protein.
For some vegans, the death of the wasp, even if naturally occurring and without human malice, means the fig is not truly vegan.
However, many commercially available fig varieties, known as "common figs," are self-pollinating and do not require wasps. For many vegans, this natural process is not considered 'exploitation' and is different from industrial animal agriculture, so they still consume figs. The decision ultimately comes down to an individual's personal ethical interpretation of veganism.

Non-Vegan Ingredients in Processed Fruit Products

Beyond fresh produce, consumers must also be vigilant about processed fruit products, which may contain hidden non-vegan additives.

Carmine (E120) / Cochineal Extract: This vibrant red food coloring is made from the crushed bodies of cochineal scale insects. It can be found in some red-colored juices, yogurts, and fruit-flavored desserts.
Gelatin: Sourced from animal collagen (typically pigs or cows), gelatin is used as a gelling or thickening agent in some fruit-based products like jellies, gummy candies, and fortified juices.

Comparison of Vegan vs. Potentially Non-Vegan Fruits


Feature	Truly Vegan Fruit Options	Potentially Non-Vegan Fruit Options
Wax Coating	Unwaxed or Organic fruits (e.g., unwaxed apples, organic citrus)	Conventionally waxed citrus (oranges, lemons, limes), some apples, and avocados coated with beeswax or shellac
Pollination Method	Parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) figs and other fruits (e.g., 'Kadota' figs)	Conventionally pollinated figs (those that require a wasp for reproduction)
Preservatives	Fresh, unprocessed, and organic fruit	Bananas treated with chitosan derived from shellfish
Processed Additives	100% pure fruit juice without additives, fruit spreads made with pectin	Fruit juices with added carmine (E120) or gelatin

How to Ensure Your Fruit is Vegan

For a mindful vegan diet, it's essential to be proactive about your fruit choices.

Buy Organic or Unwaxed: Organic produce is a safe bet, as regulations often prohibit animal-derived waxes. Many supermarkets also specifically label citrus as "unwaxed".
Look for a Matt Finish: If a citrus fruit has a noticeably shiny or slick surface, it is likely waxed. Unwaxed fruits tend to have a dull, natural matte appearance.
Read Labels: For processed products like juices and sauces, always check the ingredients list for non-vegan additives. Look for E120 (carmine/cochineal) or gelatin.
Know Your Figs: If you are ethically concerned about wasp pollination, opt for the common fig varieties like Black Mission, Brown Turkey, or Kadota, which are self-pollinating.
Clean Your Fruit Thoroughly: If you can't find unwaxed citrus, a good scrubbing under running water can help remove some of the coating. However, it may not remove all traces, and for true vegans, the presence of the product is the core issue.

Conclusion

While the concept of a non-vegan fruit may sound paradoxical, the realities of commercial food production and natural processes mean it's a valid concern for ethical vegans. Animal-derived coatings like beeswax and shellac on citrus, chitin-based preservatives on bananas, and the unique pollination cycle of certain figs all present ethical considerations. By being aware of these issues and making conscious choices, such as buying organic or unwaxed produce, vegans can ensure their fruit consumption truly aligns with their ethical principles. Ultimately, the question of what fruits are not vegan depends on the product's journey from plant to plate and the consumer's interpretation of what is 'possible and practicable' to exclude.

Visit The Vegan Society for more information on vegan ethics and diet

Frequently Asked Questions

All fruits grow from plants, which are vegan. However, some fruits may be considered non-vegan due to post-harvest coatings like beeswax and shellac, or, in the case of figs, their natural pollination process.

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It is applied to some fruits, especially citrus, after harvesting to replace the fruit's natural wax and prevent moisture loss, extending its shelf life. Vegans avoid it because it is an animal byproduct.

Yes, shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug. It is used as a glaze to make fruit shiny and protect it during transport. Because its production involves the exploitation of insects, it is not vegan.

Some figs have a unique pollination process that requires a wasp to die inside the fruit. An enzyme in the fig digests the wasp's body. While many common fig varieties are self-pollinating, some vegans avoid conventionally pollinated figs due to the wasp's death.

Look for fruits labeled "unwaxed" or "organic," as these are less likely to have animal-derived coatings. A fruit with an unnaturally high shine is often waxed, while unwaxed fruit will appear more matte.

Yes. Some fruit juices may contain hidden animal-derived additives. For example, some red-colored juices use carmine (E120), a dye made from crushed insects, and some fortified juices may contain gelatin or fish oils.

Organic produce is a safer choice for vegans as it typically avoids animal-derived waxes and preservatives. However, some organic certifiers may permit certain animal products, so checking the specific regulations for the certification is important.