Consider wines or fruit soup to be vegetarian? You might want to think afterwards. Some apparently plant-based food does not make the cut, depending on how completely you follow a vegetarian or vegan life. Surprising materials, including animal pollutants, can walk into common items like sugar, wine, and also corn tortillas. &nbsp,

We spoke with authorities in food and beverage to know about 10 common foods that aren’t usually as vegetarian-friendly as they appear. All you need to know is here. &nbsp,

Cheese

Alarming headlines like to exclusively call out <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/parmesan-cheese-versus-parmigiano-reggiano/” rel=”” class=”c-shortcodeLink c-shortcodeLink-active”>Parmigiano-Reggiano as a non-vegetarian butter, but Parm is far from the only culprit in the cheese group that contains more than just cheese. &nbsp,

Emily Monaco, an international cheese judge and journalist, noted that” cheese is frequently not vegetarians because of the use of fermentation, which helps the butter clump and separate into mozzarella and whey.” ” Traditionally, yeast comes from the belly of a baby creature: baby, child or lamb. Many cheeses rely on animal-based rennet, particularly in France, and throughout Europe, despite the fact that [plant-based ] enzymes can have comparable effects.

If you’re uncertain, ask your baker or test your component names. ” Rennet” will pretty much always indicate animal rennet, but “vegetarian rennet”, “microbial rennet”,” thistle ( cardoon ) rennet” or another coagulant such as lemon juice, acid or vinegar indicate a truly vegetarian cheese.

processed or light sugars

Yes, honey has non-vegetarian components in something as simple as that. ” There are sweeteners that are processed using bone char, which is made from charred dog legs,” said Maricel Gentile, the owner and chef of Maricel’s Kitchen. ” Bone char whitens the sugar in the process” .&nbsp,

Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to all sweets, but some companies or particular glucose control plants may use tooth ash, which may legitimately irritate some vegetarians. Not all light glucose is processed in this manner. Some use filters procedures that use graphite instead”, said Gentile. ” Check the brand, or look for natural or beet sugar, which usually don’t use spine barb methods.

Wine

If you’ve ever seen a brand on a bottle of wine that indicates the wine is healthier and wondered why that also needed to be mentioned– certainly all wine may be healthier, yes? Well, there’s a reason. Not all wines are vegan-friendly, according to wine journalist Vicki Denig, though it may sound strange. ” Some producers will use animal-derived products to ‘ fine’– which essentially means to clarify– wines”.

Many wines would still be considered vegetarian, but not always, depending on the method a producer chooses to fine its products. These products essentially bind and remove unwanted sediments or substances while they are being filtered out, Denig explained. ” Such products include– but are not limited to– egg whites, casein, gelatin and more”. Another component that occasionally filters wine is actually a fish byproduct called isinglass.

Best Wine Clubs and Gift Subscriptions in 2025, &nbsp, Read more.

The surest way to know that a wine is vegan is to look for wines that are labeled accordingly. Otherwise, you might need to look far into a producer’s website to find out until there is legislation that requires winemakers to include ingredient lists on bottles. &nbsp,

Tortillas

Although you don’t necessarily need to be overly cautious when ordering tortillas from the grocery store, it’s important to be aware that a major component of many Mexican dishes isn’t necessarily vegetarian. ” Traditionally, Mexican tortillas, particularly flour tortillas, are made with lard, which adds a rich flavor and a desirable texture”, explained Wes Avila, chef of MXO in Los Angeles. The use of bacon varies depending on the region. It is rendered animal fat.

In contrast, “most grocery store brands of tortillas, especially the mass-produced varieties,” use vegetable oils or no fat, to cater to a wider audience, including those who favor vegetarian or vegan options,” Avila said. Always check the ingredient list if you’re looking for a specific type of tortilla”.

Refried beans

Refried beans are another component of Mexican cuisine that may seem vegetarian but aren’t, like many recipes that make use of pork. Refried beans are frequently prepared using lard in traditional Mexican dishes, according to Mexican-American chef and cookbook author Kristyn Merkley. Check labels when shopping for packaged refried beans, and don’t make assumptions when dining out– be sure to ask.

You might discover that chefs change the way their refried beans are for vegetarians. You can easily adapt a recipe for refried beans that calls for lard, according to Merkley, and a shortening like Crisco also works. ” Home cooks can use vegetable oil instead to make it vegetarian, or use plant-based milk or cheese”, she said, for a fully vegan version.

Pie crust

Lard is also a traditional ingredient in something that you might find on the dessert menu. ” Pie crust frequently uses lard,” Gentile said. ” It makes a beautiful flakey texture”. Although meat pies are one thing, pastry chefs frequently prefer lard even for sweet pies. Lard has a neutral flavor because it is meat-based, so you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a pie crust made of lard and one made of a different type of fat.

Lard isn’t universal, however, either in restaurants and bakeries, or in prepared grocery store crusts. Gentile remarked,” Some people use butter, while others use shortening.” Check the label or ask your baker if you are not making the crust yourself.

Caesar dressing&nbsp,

There’s a particular element to Caesar dressing that gives it its rich flavor. You might be persuaded that Caesar dressing is just cheese ( which, again, might not be entirely vegetarian ) that gives it its distinctiveness if you have never seen it made. Without making a fuss with cheese, Caesar dressing has a depth that goes way beyond what cheese alone can achieve.

” Caesar dressing catches a lot of vegetarians off guard because it’s made with anchovies, which aren’t always obvious in the ingredient list”, said Dennis Littley, chef and recipe expert at Ask Chef Dennis. Traditional recipes rely on anchovies for that intense, savory umami flavor, but many people mistake it for a creamy dressing made with parmesan, garlic, and lemon. “”

Worcestershire sauce

An additional common condiment that might be in your refrigerator at the moment is a hidden source of anchovies. ( Or not so secret if you pay attention to the label. ) A lot of people don’t realize that Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovies because it just adds a rich, savory depth to food rather than a fishy taste,” said Rena Awada, owner and head chef at Healthy Fitness Meals“. It’s easy to overlook” she said” until you check the ingredients and realize it’s not vegetarian after all because you can’t really taste the fishiness.

Worcestershire sauce is also a common ingredient in other products, including steak sauce, barbecue sauce, marinades, and salad dressings, which may not be obvious because they may also contain unexpected seafood.

Gelatin

You may already be aware that gelatin is an animal byproduct, but, Gentile asserted, “gelatin is made from the collagen found in the cartilage, bones, and skin of animals.” Cows and pigs are the most common source. When these components are simmered down, the collagen is broken down into gelatin.

If you’re a strict vegetarian, however, avoiding gelatin means much more than just avoiding Jell-O. Things like marshmallows, gummy candies, and fruit snacks probably are what we all think of when we think of gelatin, but even yogurt, ice cream, sour cream and cream cheese can contain gelatin to stabilize it, “explained Gentile”. ‘ She said that diets that are “light” or “low-fat” foods frequently use additives like gelatin to make up for the lack of natural fat binders. Even the coating on some vitamin capsules can be made of gelatin.

Vegetable soup

Soup can often be a source of hidden animal products, as many use an animal-based stock such as beef or chicken, which offers a deep flavor. Double-check soups like those made of carrots, mushrooms, and other vegetables. They all have a rich base. &nbsp,

Even simple vegetable soup that appears to have a tomato base can serve as a foundation. Vegetarian or vegan soup is available in many brands, but soup should always be checked on the label.