Detect hidden animal ingredients instantly.
Vegan Life is your essential companion for identifying hidden animal-derived ingredients in food products. Many packaged foods contain animal-origin components that are not immediately obvious from the product name or front label — ingredients like carmine (a red dye made from crushed insects), gelatin (derived from animal bones and connective tissue), casein (a milk protein), and whey derivatives that can appear in seemingly plant-based products. Vegan Life scans product barcodes and instantly flags every animal-derived ingredient, giving you complete transparency before you buy.
The app includes a database of over 170 animal-origin ingredients, covering not just common ones like milk, eggs, and honey, but also lesser-known derivatives such as shellac (a resin secreted by lac insects used as a glazing agent), isinglass (fish bladder extract used in some beverages), L-cysteine (often derived from animal hair or feathers), and vitamin D3 (frequently sourced from lanolin in sheep's wool). This comprehensive coverage means Vegan Life catches ingredients that even experienced vegans might miss.
One of the most powerful features is the E-number origin classification system. European food additive codes (E-numbers) can be sourced from animal, plant, or synthetic origins, and the same E-number can have different origins depending on the manufacturer. Vegan Life classifies each E-number as definitively animal-derived, potentially animal-derived, or confirmed vegan, helping you navigate the confusing world of food additive codes with confidence. For example, E120 (carmine) is always animal-derived, while E471 (mono- and diglycerides) can be either animal or plant-based.
Vegan Life is essential not just for committed vegans but also for vegetarians looking to avoid specific animal products, people reducing their animal product consumption for environmental reasons, and anyone with ethical concerns about animal-derived food additives. The app provides clear vegan/non-vegan badges for scanned products, along with a detailed ingredient breakdown showing exactly which components triggered a non-vegan classification.
A comprehensive database of over 170 animal-derived ingredients, from common ones like gelatin and casein to obscure derivatives like shellac, isinglass, and L-cysteine.
Classify every E-number additive by its origin — definitively animal-derived, potentially animal-derived, or confirmed vegan. Navigate food additive codes with complete confidence.
Each scanned product receives a clear vegan or non-vegan badge, with a detailed explanation of which ingredients triggered the classification and their animal origins.
Compare two products side by side to see which has fewer animal-derived ingredients. Especially useful when choosing between brands or finding vegan alternatives to favorite products.
See every ingredient color-coded by vegan status — green for confirmed vegan, yellow for potentially animal-derived, and red for definitively animal-origin. Tap for detailed explanations.
Available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Romanian — supporting the growing vegan community across Europe and beyond.
Point your camera at the barcode on any food product. The scanner supports all standard barcode formats and works with products from around the world.
Every ingredient is matched against our database of over 170 known animal-derived ingredients, including lesser-known derivatives and processing aids.
All E-number additives are classified by their origin — animal, potentially animal, or vegan — based on the most common manufacturing processes and sources.
Receive a vegan compatibility score and clear badge showing whether the product is fully vegan, along with a breakdown of any animal-derived ingredients found.
Vegan Life combines data from Open Food Facts — the world's largest open-source food product database — with an internal database of animal-derived ingredients and E-number origin classifications. Open Food Facts provides product ingredient lists, allergen information, and label data for millions of products worldwide, while our proprietary database adds detailed animal-origin classifications for over 170 ingredients and comprehensive E-number origin mapping.
The E-number origin data is compiled from European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) documentation, food technology research, and manufacturer disclosures about additive sourcing. Our team cross-references multiple sources to determine the most common origin for each additive, flagging those that can come from either animal or plant sources as "potentially animal-derived" to ensure transparency.
How Vegan Life calculates vegan compatibility
Excellent — Fully vegan. No animal-derived ingredients detected. All E-numbers confirmed as plant-based or synthetic origin.
Good — Likely vegan. Contains E-numbers that are potentially animal-derived but are more commonly sourced from plants. No confirmed animal ingredients.
Moderate — Contains one or more E-numbers with uncertain animal origin. May contain trace amounts from shared production lines. Verify with manufacturer.
Poor — Contains confirmed animal-derived ingredients such as dairy derivatives, honey, or animal-sourced additives. Not suitable for a strict vegan diet.
Avoid — Contains multiple animal-derived ingredients including primary animal products like milk, eggs, gelatin, or carmine. Clearly non-vegan product.
Grades are calculated based on the presence and quantity of animal-derived ingredients, E-number animal origin classifications, and cross-contamination warnings from shared production facilities. The algorithm distinguishes between confirmed animal ingredients, potentially animal-derived additives, and trace contamination risks to provide a nuanced vegan compatibility assessment.