{
  "version": "2026-09-02.v14",
  "policy": "Independent, conservative lacto-vegetarian label assessment",
  "sources": {
    "diet": {
      "title": "Diet policy — lacto-vegetarian diet",
      "url": "/sources.html"
    },
    "dietPractical": {
      "title": "Diet policy — ingredient sources",
      "url": "/sources.html"
    },
    "dietSupplements": {
      "title": "Diet policy — stearic acid",
      "url": "/sources.html"
    },
    "lysozyme": {
      "title": "EU ingredient identity: E1105 is obtained from hen egg whites",
      "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32012R0471"
    },
    "eggProteins": {
      "title": "Egg proteins review: names and identities",
      "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29797412/"
    },
    "additives": {
      "title": "EFSA food additives: E120/cochineal identity",
      "url": "https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/food-additives"
    },
    "emulsifiers": {
      "title": "EFSA evaluation of E471 identity",
      "url": "https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5045"
    }
  },
  "entries": [
    {
      "id": "egg",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "egg",
        "eggs",
        "egg white",
        "egg whites",
        "egg yolk",
        "egg yolks",
        "yolk",
        "yolks",
        "whole egg",
        "dried egg",
        "powdered egg",
        "egg powder",
        "egg protein",
        "egg albumen",
        "egg albumin",
        "egg lecithin",
        "egg phospholipids",
        "egg solids",
        "egg white solids",
        "egg yolk solids",
        "eggshell",
        "eggshell powder",
        "egg shell",
        "egg membrane",
        "egg wash",
        "oeuf",
        "oeufs",
        "albumen"
      ],
      "reason": "Egg or an egg component is not suitable under the requested no-egg rule.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "egg-proteins",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "ovalbumin",
        "ovomucoid",
        "ovotransferrin",
        "conalbumin",
        "ovomucin",
        "ovoglobulin",
        "livetins",
        "livetin",
        "alpha livetin",
        "phosvitin"
      ],
      "reason": "Name associated with an egg protein/component; avoid under this tool’s strict no-egg rule.",
      "source": "eggProteins"
    },
    {
      "id": "lysozyme",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "e1105"
      ],
      "reason": "E1105 is the egg-white additive lysozyme.",
      "source": "lysozyme"
    },
    {
      "id": "unqualified-lysozyme",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "lysozyme",
        "muramidase"
      ],
      "reason": "Often an egg-derived enzyme; the name alone does not establish its manufacturing source. Avoid until verified.",
      "source": "lysozyme"
    },
    {
      "id": "animal-food",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "meat",
        "beef",
        "pork",
        "ham",
        "bacon",
        "lard",
        "tallow",
        "suet",
        "chicken",
        "turkey",
        "duck",
        "goose",
        "poultry",
        "mutton",
        "lamb",
        "veal",
        "venison",
        "rabbit",
        "fish",
        "seafood",
        "shellfish",
        "shrimp",
        "prawn",
        "prawns",
        "crab",
        "lobster",
        "anchovy",
        "anchovies",
        "tuna",
        "salmon",
        "cod",
        "sardine",
        "sardines",
        "mackerel",
        "bonito",
        "fish sauce",
        "fish oil",
        "oyster sauce",
        "oyster",
        "oysters",
        "beef stock",
        "chicken stock",
        "bone broth",
        "bone marrow",
        "animal fat",
        "animal shortening",
        "meat extract",
        "beef extract",
        "chicken extract",
        "animal rennet",
        "bovine rennet",
        "calf rennet"
      ],
      "reason": "Declared animal-derived ingredient.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "gelatin",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "gelatin",
        "gelatine",
        "e441",
        "isinglass",
        "collagen",
        "hydrolyzed collagen",
        "hydrolysed collagen",
        "porcine gelatin",
        "bovine gelatin",
        "fish gelatin"
      ],
      "reason": "Animal-derived ingredient; not suitable.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "carmine",
      "status": "nonveg",
      "aliases": [
        "carmine",
        "cochineal",
        "carminic acid",
        "natural red 4",
        "e120"
      ],
      "reason": "Cochineal/carmine is derived from insects.",
      "source": "additives"
    },
    {
      "id": "alcohol",
      "status": "prohibited",
      "aliases": [
        "wine",
        "beer",
        "rum",
        "brandy",
        "sherry",
        "vodka",
        "whisky",
        "whiskey",
        "liqueur",
        "alcohol",
        "ethanol",
        "ethyl alcohol"
      ],
      "reason": "This diet excludes food made with alcoholic beverages. An alcohol declaration is not proof of a suitable food.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "rennet",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "rennet",
        "enzymes",
        "enzyme",
        "pepsin",
        "chymosin"
      ],
      "reason": "The enzyme’s source is unspecified. Confirm a vegetarian/microbial source.",
      "source": "dietPractical"
    },
    {
      "id": "lecithin",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "lecithin",
        "lecithins",
        "e322",
        "phosphatidylcholine"
      ],
      "reason": "Source is not established: do not assume plant origin.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "glycerol",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "glycerine",
        "glycerin",
        "glycerol",
        "e422",
        "c3h8o3"
      ],
      "reason": "Glycerol identity/formula does not establish origin on this label. Require an explicit suitable source.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "stearates",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "stearic acid",
        "stearate",
        "stearates",
        "magnesium stearate",
        "calcium stearate",
        "sodium stearate",
        "c18h36o2",
        "e570"
      ],
      "reason": "Fatty-acid origin is not established; confirm vegetarian sourcing.",
      "source": "dietSupplements"
    },
    {
      "id": "emulsifiers",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "mono and diglycerides",
        "mono and di glycerides",
        "monoglycerides",
        "diglycerides",
        "glycerol monostearate",
        "glyceryl monostearate",
        "glyceryl distearate",
        "e471",
        "e472a",
        "e472b",
        "e472c",
        "e472d",
        "e472e",
        "e472f",
        "e473",
        "e474",
        "e475",
        "e476",
        "e477",
        "e481",
        "e482",
        "e491",
        "e492",
        "e493",
        "e494",
        "e495"
      ],
      "reason": "The fatty-acid/emulsifier name does not establish the ingredient source.",
      "source": "emulsifiers"
    },
    {
      "id": "other-source",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "shortening",
        "natural flavour",
        "natural flavours",
        "natural flavor",
        "natural flavors",
        "flavouring",
        "flavourings",
        "flavoring",
        "flavorings",
        "flavour",
        "flavor",
        "vitamin a",
        "vitamin d",
        "vitamin d3",
        "cholecalciferol",
        "omega 3",
        "omega 3 oil",
        "albumin",
        "l cysteine",
        "cysteine",
        "cysteine hydrochloride",
        "e920",
        "e627",
        "e631",
        "e635",
        "disodium inosinate",
        "disodium guanylate",
        "disodium ribonucleotides",
        "shellac",
        "e904",
        "confectioners glaze",
        "confectioner's glaze",
        "confectionery glaze",
        "mayonnaise",
        "aioli",
        "worcestershire sauce"
      ],
      "reason": "The name does not establish a suitable source or full composition. Avoid until verified.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "qualified-sources",
      "status": "veg",
      "aliases": [
        "vegetarian rennet",
        "vegetable rennet",
        "microbial rennet",
        "rennet microbial",
        "rennet vegetarian",
        "microbial enzymes",
        "vegetarian enzymes",
        "vegetable enzymes",
        "soy lecithin",
        "soya lecithin",
        "sunflower lecithin",
        "lecithin soy",
        "lecithin soya",
        "lecithin sunflower",
        "vegetable glycerin",
        "vegetable glycerine",
        "vegetable glycerol",
        "glycerin vegetable",
        "glycerine vegetable",
        "glycerol vegetable",
        "vegetable shortening",
        "butter shortening",
        "vegetarian stearic acid",
        "vegetable stearic acid"
      ],
      "reason": "This ingredient explicitly names a plant, dairy, or microbial source. This does not qualify adjacent ingredients.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "dairy",
      "status": "veg",
      "aliases": [
        "milk",
        "whole milk",
        "skim milk",
        "skimmed milk",
        "milk powder",
        "skim milk powder",
        "skimmed milk powder",
        "whole milk powder",
        "nonfat milk",
        "non fat milk",
        "nonfat dry milk",
        "milk solids",
        "cream",
        "butter",
        "butterfat",
        "butter fat",
        "ghee",
        "yogurt",
        "yoghurt",
        "curd",
        "buttermilk",
        "lactose",
        "casein",
        "whey",
        "whey powder",
        "whey protein",
        "milk protein",
        "milk protein concentrate",
        "whey protein concentrate",
        "paneer"
      ],
      "reason": "Dairy is permitted in the lacto-vegetarian diet; added ingredients must be checked separately.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "compound-food",
      "status": "uncertain",
      "aliases": [
        "cheese",
        "cheddar",
        "parmesan",
        "mozzarella",
        "bread",
        "chocolate",
        "margarine",
        "marshmallow",
        "marshmallows",
        "jelly",
        "stock",
        "broth",
        "seasoning",
        "seasonings",
        "spices",
        "vitamins",
        "minerals",
        "vegetable gelatin",
        "vegetarian gelatin",
        "vegan gelatin",
        "egg substitute",
        "egg replacer",
        "vegan egg",
        "plant based egg"
      ],
      "reason": "Compound or underspecified ingredient: full composition/source is not provided.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "plant-basics",
      "status": "veg",
      "aliases": [
        "water",
        "h2o",
        "salt",
        "sea salt",
        "sodium chloride",
        "nacl",
        "sugar",
        "cane sugar",
        "beet sugar",
        "brown sugar",
        "icing sugar",
        "powdered sugar",
        "glucose",
        "dextrose",
        "fructose",
        "sucrose",
        "glucose syrup",
        "corn syrup",
        "rice syrup",
        "maple syrup",
        "molasses",
        "maltodextrin",
        "starch",
        "corn starch",
        "cornstarch",
        "maize starch",
        "tapioca starch",
        "potato starch",
        "rice starch",
        "wheat starch",
        "modified corn starch",
        "modified maize starch",
        "modified tapioca starch",
        "wheat",
        "wheat flour",
        "whole wheat flour",
        "flour",
        "rice",
        "rice flour",
        "oats",
        "oat flour",
        "oatmeal",
        "barley",
        "rye",
        "corn",
        "maize",
        "quinoa",
        "millet",
        "buckwheat",
        "semolina",
        "durum wheat semolina",
        "soy",
        "soya",
        "soy flour",
        "pea protein",
        "soy protein",
        "soy protein isolate",
        "wheat gluten",
        "gluten",
        "tofu",
        "chickpea",
        "chickpeas",
        "lentil",
        "lentils",
        "beans",
        "peas",
        "potato",
        "potatoes",
        "tomato",
        "tomatoes",
        "tomato paste",
        "onion",
        "onions",
        "garlic",
        "ginger",
        "carrot",
        "carrots",
        "spinach",
        "mushroom",
        "mushrooms",
        "cabbage",
        "broccoli",
        "celery",
        "pepper",
        "peppers",
        "eggplant",
        "aubergine",
        "beetroot",
        "pumpkin",
        "apple",
        "apples",
        "banana",
        "bananas",
        "orange",
        "oranges",
        "lemon",
        "lime",
        "grape",
        "grapes",
        "strawberry",
        "strawberries",
        "raspberry",
        "raspberries",
        "blueberry",
        "blueberries",
        "mango",
        "pineapple",
        "peach",
        "pear",
        "dates",
        "raisins",
        "coconut",
        "coconut milk",
        "coconut cream",
        "almond",
        "almonds",
        "cashew",
        "cashews",
        "peanut",
        "peanuts",
        "walnut",
        "walnuts",
        "hazelnut",
        "hazelnuts",
        "pistachio",
        "pistachios",
        "pecan",
        "pecans",
        "sesame",
        "sesame seeds",
        "sunflower seeds",
        "chia seeds",
        "flax seeds",
        "linseed",
        "pumpkin seeds",
        "cocoa",
        "cocoa powder",
        "cocoa butter",
        "cocoa mass",
        "cacao",
        "coffee",
        "tea",
        "green tea",
        "black tea",
        "vanilla",
        "vanilla bean",
        "cinnamon",
        "turmeric",
        "cumin",
        "coriander",
        "black pepper",
        "white pepper",
        "paprika",
        "chilli",
        "chili",
        "oregano",
        "basil",
        "parsley",
        "rosemary",
        "thyme",
        "mint",
        "cardamom",
        "cloves",
        "nutmeg",
        "saffron",
        "fennel",
        "mustard",
        "mustard seed",
        "mustard seeds",
        "fenugreek",
        "yeast",
        "bakers yeast",
        "baker's yeast",
        "brewers yeast",
        "yeast extract",
        "pectin",
        "agar",
        "agar agar",
        "china grass",
        "carrageenan"
      ],
      "reason": "Recognized plant/mineral ingredient (or specifically permitted gelling agent). Hidden processing aids cannot be inferred from a label.",
      "source": "diet"
    },
    {
      "id": "plant-oils",
      "status": "veg",
      "aliases": [
        "vegetable oil",
        "vegetable oils",
        "sunflower oil",
        "canola oil",
        "rapeseed oil",
        "olive oil",
        "palm oil",
        "palm kernel oil",
        "coconut oil",
        "soybean oil",
        "soya oil",
        "soy oil",
        "corn oil",
        "sesame oil",
        "peanut oil",
        "safflower oil",
        "cottonseed oil",
        "avocado oil"
      ],
      "reason": "Explicitly named plant oil.",
      "source": "diet"
    }
  ]
}