By Jeanne Yacoubou, MS<\/p>\n
Alternative names<\/strong>: phosphatidylcholine, partially hydrolyzed lecithin, E322<\/p>\n Naturally present in<\/strong>: liver, egg yolks, soybeans, wheat germ<\/p>\n Commercial Source<\/strong>: vegetable (soy, sunflower, canola seeds)<\/p>\n Used in<\/strong>: instant products, beverages, margarine and spreads, baked goods, snacks, salad dressings, chocolate, confections, protein shakes, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical and personal care products<\/p>\n Used as<\/strong>: emulsifier, dispersing agent, surfactant, release agent<\/p>\n Definition<\/strong>: A group of compounds of varying chemical composition depending on the source, lecithin mixes well with a wide variety of other food ingredients thereby serving multiple functions in foods and making it one of the most widely used food ingredients. Dietary lecithin is a primary source of the essential nutrient choline, important for cell membrane integrity and nerve signaling. Lecithin is also important in many industries including paint and plastics.<\/p>\n Manufacturers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n ADM<\/a> wrote that \u201cADM soy lecithin products do not contain animal products or by-products and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans…The process that produces our soy lecithins does not employ enzymes nor cow bone filters.\u201d<\/p>\n American Lecithin<\/a> Company told us by phone that all of their food-use lecithins are vegetable-derived; \u201cour egg lecithins are used in pharmaceuticals.\u201d<\/p>\n Cargill Foods <\/a><\/p>\n Danisco<\/a><\/p>\n Additional Information<\/strong>:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.ilps.org\/files\/Download\/Forms\/The%20Changing%20World%20of%20Lecithins%20-INFORM%204-2014.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.phospholipid-institute.com\/en\/literature<\/a> <\/p>\n Although the FDA approved krill-derived lecithin for food use, the company which filed the petition told us by phone that they \u201csell krill oil, not lecithin from krill.\u201d (Sources: 1<\/a>, 2<\/a>, 3<\/a>, 4<\/a>).<\/p>\n Classification<\/strong>: Vegan (for food use)<\/p>\n Entry updated<\/strong>: March 2015<\/p>\n For information on other ingredients, see: http:\/\/www.vrg.org\/ingredients\/index.php<\/a><\/p>\n To support The Vegetarian Resource Group research, donate at: http:\/\/vrg.org\/donate<\/a><\/p>\n