Honey is made by bees, and bees are animals, so honey is not vegan. Maple syrup, agave and date syrup are the usual swaps.
Made byHoneybees
Plant swapsMaple, agave, date syrup
VerdictNot vegan
Where it hides
Cereals and granola
Glazes and dressings
Cough sweets and remedies
Some breads and snack bars
Why it is not vegan
Honey is the one people argue about most, but the reasoning is simple. It is made by honeybees from flower nectar, and bees are animals, so honey is an animal product. The Vegan Society, which coined the word vegan, draws the line directly.
Primary source 01 / 01
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose
The society names honey among the animal foods a vegan diet leaves out, alongside meat, dairy and eggs. Some people who otherwise eat plant-based choose to include honey, which is a personal call, but by the standard definition it is not vegan.
What to use instead
For sweetness and stickiness, maple syrup, agave nectar, date syrup, brown rice syrup and molasses all do honey's job. In cough remedies, look for plant-syrup versions, since honey is a common base there.
Shellac and confectioner's glaze (E904)That mirror shine on candy is bug resin. Shellac, confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze, E904: a secretion of the lac insect.
Bone char sugarSome cane sugar is whitened by filtering it through charred cattle bone. The sugar holds no bone, but the process is animal, so it depends on the brand.
Royal jellyRoyal jelly is bee food, secreted by workers to raise queens. Like honey and beeswax, it is something taken from a hive, which puts it outside a vegan diet by definition.
Frequently asked
Why do vegans avoid honey?
Because it is an animal product. Honey is made by bees, so the standard definition of veganism, which excludes all products derived from animals, leaves it out along with meat, dairy and eggs.
What can I use instead of honey?
Maple syrup, agave nectar, date syrup, brown rice syrup and molasses all work as vegan sweeteners, and some brands sell plant-based honey alternatives made from apples or flowers.
The sources
What each verdict rests on. Read them yourself.
Definition of veganism · The Vegan Society, 2024 · the standard definition, which excludes honey
Read the label with us, every morning.
The same clear-eyed sourcing behind these verdicts, applied to each day’s news: what actually moved veganism forward, quoted and checked before you read it. One short brief, free.
