Is Glycerin (E422) vegan?
Depends on the brand
Depends — glycerin can be made from plant oils, petroleum or animal fat.
Also listed as: glycerol, E422
Why
Most food-grade glycerin is a by-product of vegetable oil and biodiesel processing, but tallow-derived glycerin still circulates, especially in soap and cosmetics.
What to check on the label
- "Vegetable glycerin" wording
- Cosmetics with unspecified glycerin
- Vegan certification
Swap it for
Vegetable glycerinCertified vegan cosmeticsGlycerin-free formulas
Questions people ask
Is vegetable glycerin clearly labelled?
In food, usually. In cosmetics, often not — check for a vegan mark.
What is it doing in my food?
It holds moisture in bars, icings and low-sugar sweets.