Is apple juice vegan? By the label almost always, and two store brands say so outright
Almost always: 9 apple juices and 1 drink list nothing animal. Gelatin can clarify juice unlisted; Whole Foods' 365 and Kroger's Simple Truth say vegan.
Gregory Knox
Gregory has been vegan since 2012 and came to it as a sceptic. He believed a balanced diet needed meat and dairy, so he read the studies and the books until he was sure it didn't. He still reads them, and turns what he finds into plain answers on food, ingredients, supplements and health questions. He also runs the technical side of Vegan Pots. Not a doctor, just very thorough.
Does vegan protein powder expire? The date is about quality, and two makers disagree on what happens after it
Yes, but the date is about quality. Vega says not to use protein powder after it; Growing Naturals says it can be safe 6 to 12 months past. 7 brands compared.
Is onion powder the same as onion? No, and the jars disagree on how much makes one
Onion powder is vegan dried onion, not a spoon-for-spoon swap: makers' ratios differ nearly 5 times. 9 jars compared; McCormick's onion dip mix has buttermilk.
What do vegans eat instead of meat? 7 substitutes, and which ones replace the protein
Seitan, tempeh, tofu and TVP replace meat's protein; jackfruit only its texture, at 1 g of protein a serving. 7 compared, Beyond and Impossible included.
How to check if a food is vegan: what each part of the label can and can’t tell you
Read the ingredient list, not the front. Non-dairy, meatless, gelatin-free and kosher all appear on non-vegan foods; a Certified Vegan mark checks it all.
Is collagen vegan? No, and the “vegan collagen” on the shelf contains none
No. Collagen comes from animal hides and bones, and none of the four vegan collagen supplements we checked contains any. Codeage's label says so outright.
Can you be vegan without supplements? Not for B12, and iodine is the one most likely to slip
No: B12 needs a supplement or fortified food, and iodine is next, since processed food uses non-iodized salt. Complement Essential covers all four gaps.
Best vegan protein powders: 8 compared on lead, and why the certified one is the one to limit
Truvani is our pick, the only plant powder in Consumer Reports' low-lead daily group. Garden of Life Sport hit 564% of CR's lead level: limit it to once a week.
Best vegan B12 supplements: 7 checked, and why methyl on the label isn’t worth paying extra for
Deva's Vegan Society-registered lozenge is our pick, Jarrow's vegan B12 the cheapest. NIH finds no absorption gap by form. Nature Made softgels have gelatin.
Best vegan mayo: 6 egg-free jars, and why the word dressing doesn’t tell you
Vegenaise is our pick; Hellmann's Plant Based, Sir Kensington's and Chosen Foods Vegan also pass. Hellmann's olive oil dressing and Chosen Classic contain egg.
