Is Lactic Acid Vegan?

Caution

Sometimes. Lactic acid (also called e270) can come from either animal or plant sources. If derived from animals, it is the protein from ground-up horns, hooves, feathers, quills, and hair.

Lactic Acid and the Vegan Diet

Lactic acid is an organic compound with the formula C3H6O3. It is found naturally in sour milk products, such as yogurt and kefir, and is also produced through fermentation processes. In the food industry, it is used as an acidity regulator and preservative (E270). Lactic acid can be produced from both plant-based and animal-based sources, the latter involving the hydrolysis of proteins from animal parts. For vegans, ensuring that lactic acid is plant-derived is crucial.

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  • Evidence-based. Diet compatibility ratings are compiled from peer-reviewed nutrition guidance, dietary association recommendations, and ingredient composition data.
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