Is Lactic Acid Vegan? Here Is The Answer In 2024

The vegan diet involves eating strictly plant-based foods, such as fruits and veggies, and avoiding animal-based products. Due to its restrictive nature, it can be challenging to follow or know which foods contain animal-based ingredients. 

Lactic acid is one ingredient that can sneak into foods, unbeknownst to the consumer. So, is lactic acid vegan? Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to lactic acid and veganism.

What Is Lactic Acid?

When we hear the phrase lactic acid, we might immediately think of a byproduct produced by our muscles during muscular contraction. This compound is created when the body breaks down glucose for energy. 

However, commercially produced lactic acid is an important product for the food market. Lactic acid is produced when specific foods or bacteria undergo the fermentation process. In food manufacturing and processing, man-made lactic acid^[2] is frequently used for preservation due to its affordability and effectiveness.

While it’s easy to quickly associate lactic acid with lactose, lactic acid actually doesn’t contain milk or milk products. Most lactic acid ingredients are vegan. YET, there are some exceptions.

Vegan Foods Containing Lactic Acid

Several vegan foods contain lactic acid. The taste and structure of these foods differ according to lactic acid concentration.

• Sourdough Bread: When baking this classic loaf, lactic acid bacteria contribute to the sour flavor of the end product.
• Pickled Vegetables: When salt is added to these vegetables for fermentation, lactic acid bacteria thrive and feed on the sugars in the vegetables, leaving behind a sour and pickled taste.
• Kimchi: This is another food fermented by using lactic acid,^[3] which gives way to its unique flavor. Cabbage, radish, or cucumber are used to make this traditional Korean dish. 
• Sauerkraut: Similar to kimchi, sauerkraut is a dish made from fermented raw cabbage, which requires lactic acid to ferment the vegetables and alter the flavor. But generally, this meal can also include cheese for the flavor which is a non-vegan product. However, plant-based cheese alternatives can be used to make vegan sauerkraut.
• Wine: Surprisingly, lactic acid^[4] is also used for some wine-making methods and beer.
• Soy Sauce: For the production of soy sauce, lactic acid is used to break down the sugars and produce the unique flavor associated with soy sauce and some soy foods.
• Miso: This Japanese seasoning is made by fermenting soybeans with the use of lactic acid.

Home-made fermented foods also often contain added lactic acid to create a tangy flavor, such as fermented beets, eggplants, broccoli, and turnips. Lactic acid may also be present in various packaged vegan products, like salad dressings, sauces, spreads, jams, jellies, olives, and desserts. Yet, when a product is labeled vegan, such as vegan meal delivery services and vegan meal replacements, it’s more than likely that the lactic acid derives from non-animal sources.

Non-Vegan Foods Containing Lactic Acid To Avoid

Some lactic acid is made from lactose, a sugar located in dairy products. This means these foods contain nonvegan lactic acid, so it may be important to check with the manufacturer first.

Some non-vegan foods that contain lactic acid include:

• Frozen Desserts: Usually, these frozen desserts^[5] containing lactic acid are milk-based or primarily ice cream-based. It’s thought that adding lactic acid to these products may slightly improve the texture.
• Candy: Lactic acid may be used in some yogurt candies or gummies to create long-lasting flavor. These candies may be vegan or non-vegan. It is beneficial to check labels.
• Cheese: Lactic acid is often present due to the fermentation process required to create cheese made from animal milk. However, you can find plant-based cheese alternatives in the market.
• Kefir: Kefir^[6] is a type of sour milk product. It often contains about 0.7-1% lactic acid. The exact amount may vary based on storage and fermentation conditions.
• Yogurt: This popular dairy product is created using lactic acid^[7] for fermentation.
• Salami: Lactic acid is frequently used in salami made from meat or poultry to create a more sour and tangy taste and for preservation purposes.

The good news is that lactic acid is considered safe, with side effects from it being very rare. If you’re wondering if a particular food you love contains lactic acid, checking the label should offer some insight. Again, this often requires checking with the manufacturer about the source of the lactic acid. 

It should be noted that those following a vegan or vegetarian diet need to pay close attention to their nutrient intake. Don’t forget to ask your doctor and registered dietitian before starting any green powders or vitamins and minerals that you use in your vegan diet.

Conclusion

Lactic acid naturally forms in a variety of foods, such as fermented vegetables and pickled foods, and is often used as a preservative in packaged foods. In most cases, vegan lactic acid derives from beet sugar.

Yet, some lactic acid can derive from animal sources, generally from dairy products. Many vegans may want to check with the food companies or manufacturers to determine where the lactic acid comes from. That way, you know you’re obtaining your food from solely plant-based sources and can ensure that your diet doesn’t contain non-vegan products.

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