If you are new to a vegan diet, sugar seems like the safest ingredient. It comes from sugar cane or sugar beets—both 100% plants. So, how could it possibly not be vegan?
The issue isn't the ingredient itself, but how it is processed.
The Culprit: Bone Char
To make sugar sparkling white, many refineries filter raw sugar through a porous material called natural carbon. The controversial part? This carbon is often made from bone char—which is charred cattle bones.
While the bone char doesn't end up in the final sugar product, its use in the process makes the sugar non-vegan for many strict vegetarians and vegans.
Cane Sugar vs. Beet Sugar
Here is a simple rule of thumb to help you navigate the grocery aisle:
- Beet Sugar: Always Vegan. The refining process for sugar beets never requires bone char.
- Cane Sugar: It's complicated. Some refineries use bone char, while others use vegan-friendly activated charcoal.
How to Identify Vegan Sugar
Since companies aren't usually required to list "bone char" on the label, here are three ways to ensure your sugar is cruelty-free:
1. Look for "Organic"
In the United States, USDA Organic sugar cannot be filtered through bone char. If you see the organic seal, you are safe.
2. Check for "Unrefined" or "Raw"
Bone char is primarily used to bleach sugar white. Unrefined sugars like Turbinado, Muscovado, or Demerara (which are brown/beige) typically skip this whitening step.
3. Use Alternatives
If you want to be 100% sure, stick to natural sweeteners that are always vegan:
- Coconut Sugar
- Maple Syrup
- Agave Nectar
- Stevia
- Date Sugar
The "EatCheck" Verdict
Should you panic about sugar? Probably not. Even PETA states that obsessing over micro-ingredients like sugar can hurt the vegan movement by making it seem too difficult.
However, knowledge is power. If you have the choice, opting for Organic or Beet Sugar is the kindest option for animals.