Veganism & Vegetarianism
According to the views of vegetarian society, vegetarians can be referred to as people who do not eat the products or by-products obtained from animal slaughter.
Vegetarians do not consume the following food groups -
- Red meat such as pork, beef
- Poultry such as chicken, duck, turkey
- Sea foods like fish, shell fish
- Insects
- Any kind of animal proteins like gelatine, rennet
- Any fats or stocks derived from animal slaughter
Important aspect to be noted is, most of the vegetarians do consume by products like eggs, dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and other related products, which do not involve animal slaughtering.
Vegetarian diet is a broader term and includes several categories which are very well-known in these times. They include
- Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet - where people avoid all kind of fish and meat, but only consume eggs and dairy products.
- Lacto-vegetarian diet - People who follow this diet do not eat any meat, fish, or eggs and any other related products, but do consume only dairy products.
- Ovo-vegetarian diet - people who prefer to follow this diet do consume eggs but do not eat fish, meat or even dairy products anymore.
- Pescatarian diet - individuals who follow this diet will only eat fish and other kinds of seafood but avoid all kinds of meat. This is also referred to as semi-vegetarian diet or flexitarian diet as it does not meet the definition of traditional vegetarian diet.
What is Veganism?
A vegan diet is developed much in recent times, yet catching more people and gaining attention on a large scale globally. Vegan diet can be referred to as the strictest form of vegetarian diet. Individuals who follow vegan diets avoid consuming any of the animal products or their by-products.
Veganism is often defined as “a way of living, that excludes all sorts of animal exploitation and cruelty for food, clothing or for the other purpose.”
Vegan diet avoid any kind of foods that contain:
- Poultry
- Meat
- Sea foods like fish, shell fish
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Honey
- Insects
- Animal protein
- Animal derived fats and other related products
Nutritional concerns of vegan and vegetarian diet
These plant-based diets are undoubtedly healthy and prevents the risk of many chronic diseases. But one needs to be self monitored while opting for vegan or vegetarian diets. There may be a chance of nutritional deficiencies if not taken care properly. Certain nutrients should be taken care like calcium, iron, essential fatty acids, vitamin-D, most importantly vitamin-B12. So those who follow plant based diets need to make sure to include lots of dark leafy greens, fortified foods, other vitamin supplements. A balanced intake of all nutrients is must for a healthy body. Vegan and vegetarian diets are also tested for significant vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids
Eurofins significant contribution in vegan authenticity testing
In recent times, many RTE (Ready to Eat) and Ready to Cook foods are being labelled as vegan or vegetarian diets. But many cases have been reported to contain traces of meat, either from shared production lines during manufacturing or any contamination in the supply chain.
Eurofins is a global testing provider in authenticity testing and traceability.
Eurofins provides a broad range of accredited targeted and non-targeted protein or DNA based techniques like ELISA, real time PCR and next generation sequence (NGS). All these tests provide accurate results in identifying the presence or absence of meat or fish species in food matrices.
Testing, verification and certification of vegan diets
Vegan Verification is an innovative programme launched from Eurofins Chem-MAP® which assesses risk materials and components, as well as providing testing of chemicals and materials, to establish whether any animal or by-products have been used in their formulations.
Vegan Verification helps manufacturers, brands and retailers to correctly specify materials by implementing a phased approach, covering the manufacture of materials, chemical management, risk assessment, and testing to achieve vegan certification of materials.
Testing and Verification Systems
Eurofins Chem-MAP® Vegan Verification helps manufacturers, brands and retailers to check test, and certify vegan chemicals to be used in relevant products.
The Vegan Verification programme provides the chance to create vegan chemical management systems.
Eurofins - being unique:
- Strong customer focus with quality service
- One-stop solution lab
- Reliability Assured and Delivered
- Lab with the latest equipment
- Competent, Qualified and Experienced analysts
- Dedicated Customer Support
- Customer needs a specific solution
- Trusted by top brands in India
- Applicable to wide range of food and feed matrices
