Is it still vegan if it says may contain milk?

If a food product doesn’t have milk in the ingredients, but is labeled as “may contain milk” or “may contain traces of milk”, it’s totally suitable for vegans. It means (generally) that the food is produced in a shared facility where dairy products are also produced, so there may be cross-contamination.

What does it mean when a product says may contain milk?

6. What about products that say “May contain traces of milk products” or “Processed in a facility that manufactures milk products”, are they suitable for vegans? This simply means that milk is not an added ingredient, but a very small amount may have come in contact with the food.

Can something be vegan but not dairy free?

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including dairy, eggs, meat, and fish, whereas a dairy-free diet bans all milk products but not necessarily any other animal products. While all vegan foods are inherently dairy-free, not all dairy-free foods are vegan.

Can you say your product is vegan?

There’s no requirement for food to be labelled vegetarian or vegan, but any information provided voluntarily must not mislead consumers or be ambiguous or confusing. For food and non-food products, consumer regulation in the UK requires that products are accurately described and fit for purpose.

Does may contain milk mean it has milk?

If a product is labelled with ‘may contain milk’, it doesn’t mean that the manufacturers randomly add milk if they feel like it! What it actually means, is that the product doesn’t have milk in the ingredients, but it’s made in the same building as other products that do contain milk.

What does may contain eggs mean?

The label simply means that while the labelled product isn’t supposed to contain the allergen, the manufacturer can’t be sure it doesn’t. They can’t be sure there hasn’t been cross-contamination during preparation.

Is may contain milk safe?

While you could eat ‘may contain’ products safely without realising the warning, avoid doing so. These products can contain harmful allergens and can be life-threatening.

Are eggs considered dairy products?

Eggs are not a dairy product. The definition of dairy includes foods produced from the milk of mammals, such as cows and goats ( 1 ). Basically, it refers to milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt. On the contrary, eggs are laid by birds, such as hens, ducks, and quail.

Does certified vegan mean dairy free?

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Certified Vegan products are dairy-free/non-dairy, egg-free, and vegan. However, for those with food allergies, please check with the company on their manufacturing processes for all varieties if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you.

What does it mean when a food label says may contain?

Some manufacturers voluntarily include a separate advisory statement, such as “may contain” or “produced in a facility,” on their labels when there is a chance that a food allergen could be present. A manufacturer might use the same equipment to make different products.

Can the term ‘vegan’ be used with ‘may contain milk’?

“The Society’s acceptance that the term ‘vegan’ can be used with ‘may contain milk / eggs / fish’ seems to be fixated on the premise that the term is only used to indicate possible low levels,” says Adrian Ling of vegan and ‘free from’ manufacturers Plamil Foods.

What does it mean when a product says it’s vegan?

The manufacturer is merely stating that in case of an allergic reaction. Nevertheless, some manufacturers choose not to label products which may contain milk as vegan. A key example which springs to mind is the Co-Op, and their own brand products.

What does “may contain milk” mean on food packages?

The chances of a particular food actually containing whatever is in the “may contain” label are slim, however. The label is just there for those with severe allergies. For this reason, vegans usually don’t worry about “may contain milk” or “may contain eggs” on food packages. These products are still generally considered vegan.

Why do some vegan products have warning labels that contain milk?

He adds: “While The Vegan Society requires manufacturers to do all they can to minimise cross-contamination, we accept some trademarked products may carry warning labels such as ‘may contain milk’ because this refers to accidental low-level cross-contamination.