Is Glycerine Vegetarian?
A reader asks:
Some flavorings say they have “glycerine” in them. Is glycerine from animals or vegetables?
Jeanne Yacoubou, MS, VRG Research Director responds:
Glycerine can be animal- or plant-derived. It is also possible to produce glycerine from petrochemicals.
If plant-derived, glycerine is probably from soybeans. Animal tallow is a common animal source. I have received statements from several major manufacturers of glycerine. My general impression at this point (early 2010) is that it is typically derived from plant materials when used in food but one cannot always be sure, especially in cosmetics and bath and body products. It is best to ask the product’s manufacturer when in doubt.
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Thank you so much this helped a lot I was almost not going to have christmas cake and I was feeling let down I had a look at lots of other websites (including this one) and most of the websites said it was only in soap, shampoo and body products we got the gylicerine out and it said suitable for vegetarians so yay i got Christmas cake thanks again.
p.s. i am only young and becoming a vegetarian my mum has to cook lots of different meals now hehehe poor her
I just read that the glycerin in Coke is derived from beef tallow.