We started this list to share products, but we quickly realized we were sharing ideas. We do not discriminate against products (look I even added ring dings). In the same vein we do not discriminate against ideas. This list is a tool, use it as you see fit. Help us add to it. In general we are okay with milk (preferably local and organic - but we are not fanatical about that), but we are not okay with eggs, animal by-products (gelatin), or onions and garlic (and their kin - leeks, green onions). So when we read labels we look out for these things. Everyone has their own line in the sand, we respect that - much love to all. The following are simply things we think about before buying something. You may have some others ideas about this, and we would love to hear about it - hit up the feedback form below. The feedback we have so far fall into the following categories (again much love to all):
Informationalist: Call/email/write until we find out exactly what is in there.
Laissez-faire: Don't ask, don't tell. If it ain't broke don't fix it.
Hardcore: Don't eat it.
Non-core: Why does this list exist?
Ultra Hardcore: Grow your own food in your back yard.
Spices - The Bane of Label Readers Everywhere
After launching this site we have gained a new appreciation for the wisdom of crowds. We have learned the following: Any product manufactured or packaged in the United States of America needs a label that complies with FDA standards. The FDA clearly states that spices CANNOT include onions and garlic. If there is even a small amount of onion and garlic then it has to be listed separately. The caveat here is that if something is produced, manufactured, and packaged outside of America and then distributed here - then the laws of the country it was manufactured in takes precedence in labeling. For example if a product is manufactured in Canada and then distributed elsewhere it abides by Canadian laws, and in Canada spices CAN include onions and garlic. So read the label and read the place where it was manufactured (it will be on the label as well).
Evidence 1
Ambrish sends us this link from the FDA which states pretty unequivocally that spice CANNOT be onion or garlic. Any ideas on this?
(2) The term spice means any aromatic vegetable substance in the whole, broken, or ground form, except for those substances which have been traditionally regarded as foods, such as onions, garlic and celery; whose significant function in food is seasoning rather than nutritional; that is true to name; and from which no portion of any volatile oil or other flavoring principle has been removed. Spices include the spices listed in subpart A of part 582 of this chapter, such as the following:
Allspice, Anise, Basil, Bay leaves, Caraway seed, Cardamon, Celery seed, Chervil, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin seed, Dill seed, Fennel seed, Fenugreek, Ginger, Horseradish, Mace, Marjoram, Mustard flour, Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Pepper, black; Pepper, white; Pepper, red; Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Savory, Star aniseed, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric.
Paprika, turmeric, and saffron or other spices which are also colors, shall be declared as spice and coloring unless declared by their common or usual name.
Evidence 2
It seems that onions and garlic truly cannot be included in spices OR Natural Flavorings (see below). However this is only an American law. Products manufactured in Canada (like President's choice Ketchup) do NOT need to meet these requirements. See below.
Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We strive to maintain the highest quality products and appreciate your patronage.
In the US, Onions and Garlic are not considered spices per FDA. Should these ingredients be part of the product, they will be specified in the ingredient list, even if they are in the natural flavorings.
In Canada different laws apply and these ingredients may not be labeled.
The Yves plant is meat free. We only produce vegetarian products at this plant.
Thank you for your continued support. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-434-4246, Monday through Friday from 7AM - 5PM Mountain Time.
Sincerely,
Andrea
Consumer Relations Representative
Evidence 3
While rennet has become our new bane, nong is staying clear of spices AND natural flavors. Thanks to Bhakti for this information.
Thank you for writing to us.
Many of our cheese seasonings and cheese salsas (including Monterey Jack Queso) are made with animal enzymes. If you want to avoid these enzymes, you may want to avoid our snacks that list cheese as an ingredient. Only a few snacks have animal flavors and they will always be listed on the ingredient statement, never hidden under "natural flavors."
We have a list of kosher snacks on our website. All snacks on these lists are free of animal enzymes and flavors. To access the list go to www.fritolay.com, "Your Health," and "For Special Dietary Needs."
Onion and garlic will always be listed on the ingredient statement if is used in dips or seasoning, and not hidden under "spices" or "natural flavors".
We consider you a valued consumer and hope you will continue to enjoy snacks from Frito-Lay.
Best regards,
Linda
Frito-Lay Consumer Affairs
010820425A
Natural Flavors
This is something that seems to not come up as often in grocery items, but seems to play a more prominent role in fast food items. There was a great deal of publicity surrounding this catch all term with McDonald's using it in the french fries, however there was a beef component to it. Mohak provides us the details from the following site:
According to our research department, the exact definition of natural flavorings and flavors from Title 21, Section 101, part 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations is as follows:
"The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional."
Long story short. The only way to know what is in a natural flavor is to ask the company who makes it. However it seems that natural flavor does NOT include onions and garlic (see above).
Plethora of Animal Parts
When there is an excess of biomass nature figures out a way to use. Same can be said for man. There is a great deal of waste that is generated in the slaughter of animals. Since it is readily available it is used. This leads to using tallow in bar soaps (yes even a bar of Ivory Soap is made up of dead animal fat). This stuff makes it way into our food if we are not careful. Here are the big ones to be watchful of:
Gelatin. Made from animal bones. See agar agar.
Many products contain gelatin. Kosher gelatin is also made from animal parts. Surprisingly it is marshmallows that everyone keeps emailing to us about. We have a gelatin-free version in the list above. Check it out. Here is some information from Kellogg's® that several people have sent in.
We are always eager to hear from our vegetarian consumers and we are happy to provide you with information about the gelatin in our cereals.
Gelatin is used to help the texture of the product and is derived from either beef or pork. All gelatin used at Kellogg is certified Kosher.
Gelatin derived from pork is found in Kellogg's® cereal products that contain marshmallow additives, for example Kellogg's® Marshmallow Froot Loops cereal and Kellogg's Smorz® cereal. It is also found in all varieties of Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats® Squares and Special K® Protein Snack Bars.
Gelatin derived from beef is found in all varieties of Kellogg's® Frosted Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's® Frosted Mini-Wheats® cereal, and Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats™ cereal. None of the equipment that comes in contact with the gelatin in Kellogg's® Frosted Pop-Tarts® is used in the production of the other pastries. As a result, Plain (unfrosted) Kellogg's® Pop-Tarts® do not contain gelatin. The pre-gelatinized wheat starch contained in some of our toaster pastries is derived from wheat and does not contain any gelatin.
All Kellogg's® fruit snacks contain gelatin. In fruit snacks beef and pork gelatin are used interchangeably based on availability in the marketplace.
Rennet. Made from animal guts OR plants and mushrooms. Used in cheese. This leads to vegetarian cheese. Read about it here.
Lecithin. Made from egg yolk OR plant. Emulsifier (keeps things together - think nougat) Mostly production of lecithin is shifting to plant based (soy because we have so much of it). However when you see it on a label you just don't know unless it explicitly says soy lecithin.
Whey. Mehul mentions that sweet whey maybe made with rennet. Please let us know information (we need two sources before we confirm anything either way).
Other things to be cognizant of: sugar (white cane sugar) is filtered through charcoal - usually that charcoal is made from animal bone. The aforementioned bar soap that contains animal fat.
Something missing? Let us know we can add it.