The mixed tocopherols added to foods are typically extracted from soy, sunflower or other vegetable oils, or made synthetically, all of which are vegan. As with other fat-soluble vitamins, the caveat is the delivery: a vitamin E supplement in a gelatin softgel is not vegan, even though the tocopherol inside it is.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, E300)Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, the antioxidant on a thousand labels. It is built from glucose, which is about as plant-based as a starting material gets.
Beta-carotene (E160a)Beta-carotene is the orange in carrots, bottled as a colour and a supplement. The pigment is plant or lab-made; the only animal risk is the capsule it sometimes rides in.
Vitamin A (retinol and carotene)Vitamin A comes in two forms with two different back-stories. One can be pulled from fish liver, the other is pure plant pigment, and the label decides which you are getting.
Frequently asked
Are E306 to E309 vegan?
Generally yes. Tocopherols are extracted from vegetable oils or synthesised, so they are usually vegan. Check that a supplement is not in a gelatin capsule.
Is vitamin E from animals?
No. Food and supplement vitamin E comes from vegetable oils or is made synthetically, so it is plant-based.
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