Is sugar vegan or non-vegan??

Question

It is true that most refined sugars are processed through filters called char bone made from animal bones? I need to know details about this and where I can abtain information about this for ethical and religious reasons.

Answer 1

Yes, afraid so. So in that sense it's definitely not vegan.

If you'd like to check out the general process yourself, go here:

http://home.clara.net/mawer/theprocess.html

While the date may be old, the process is the same today in 99 out of 100 processing plants.

Try vegan and health food stores when looking for sugar that's processed by alternate means.

Answer 2

You would need to know what each manufacturer uses and could easily contact them. Not all charcoal is made from bone, either.

You could use maple sugar or crystallized honey or unrefined cane juice instead. But don't believe all brown sugar is safe, given your concerns. Most brown sugar is made by simply adding molasses to white refined sugar,

You could also investigate how fructose and glucose are processed as options, but unless a package specifies that it is processed free from all animal products or derivatives, you need to contact the maker. Most food producers have web access now so it's fairly easy.

Look at it this way, all that sugar isn't that great for you anyway.

Answer 3

It's true! For personal use look for Turbinado or raw sugar. Brown sugars are actually filtered sugars that have the molasses put back in them. This does mean that ANY food that lists sucrose or sugar as an ingredient is not Vegetarian! And yes, that does include products that say "organic sugar" unless it also states "non-filtered".

You can search USDA.gov to get the legal definitions of the sugars but I'll warn you that the site is really hard to deal with. The two listed below are good general purpose links...

Answer 4

Commercial white and brown sugars are not vegan due to bone char filtering. Use raw sugar, like Sucanat, or an alternative sweetener like maple syrup, (make sure it's not just maple flavored) or brown rice syrup.

Answer 5

Refined sugar might be...depends on the brand. It's really best to use raw sugar anyway. There is no taste difference.

Answer 6

Don't know, but I would advise brown (not refined) sugar, if you are in doubt.

Answer 7

write to the companies who produce sugar, Domino for example.

Answer 8

what you need to do is research the companies that process the sugar.

Answer 9

You can always grow sugar canes yourself. My uncle does that.

Answer 10

Sugar are made from sugar cane and beets. I don't know about animal filter, but please enlighten me.