15 Shocking Foods That Aren’t Vegetarian

Posted in Our Blog on March 1, 2025

Today, we are taking a look at 15 shocking foods that aren’t vegetarian even though some people think they are. Take a look at the list and see which one shocks you the most.

1. McDonald’s Fries– These days you can pick up a veggie burger at most fast-food chains, but some french fries are still made using animal ingredients. Say hello (and perhaps goodbye) to the crispy amazingness of McDonald’s fries, which, sadly, are made with “natural beef flavor”. The good news is fast food isn’t out of the question because Burger King and Wendy’s do have fries that are considered vegetarian.
2. Parmesan Cheese– Unfortunately, most Parmesan cheeses (in addition to Gruyère, Gorgonzola, Pecorino Romano, and manchego) use rennet to coagulate the milk. And what is rennet, you ask? Well, it’s an enzyme that’s removed from the lining of a goat’s or calf’s stomach. These cheeses can be, and sometimes are, made without rennet, but I’d suggest giving your labels a thorough read to be sure.
3. Frosted Pop Tarts– Sometimes we just crave these sweet treats but if you are a vegetarian beware; the frosting is made from gelatin which is a protein that is made from boiling animal skins, tendons, ligaments and bones.
4. Frosted Mini Wheats– Another sweet treat that is made using gelatin in the frosting. Of course check those ingredient lists to see what is in yours as often off brand items contain less or different ingredients.
5. Refried Beans– Many vegetarians rely on beans as a source of daily protein, but arguably the best variation on the legume — refried beans — is often made using lard which is rendered pork fat. There are brands that do specialize in vegetarian refried beans though.
6. Pre-Made Pie Crusts– These also contain lard which is what makes them notoriously flaky. Sometimes when we are in a rush it is easy to check these out and toss them into a shopping cart, but as always check those labels.
7. Flavored Yogurt– This one is hard because many of us vegetarians and pescatarians use dairy to get a good dose of protein. But some (though not all) yogurts use gelatin to give the stuff a better texture. Yoplait is an easy target (although certain products, including Yoplait Tubes, Source Greek, and Whole Milk yogurt, aren’t made with gelatin), but it isn’t the only offender. Even “fancy” brands like Noosa use a cow-derived gelatin.
8. Twinkies– I am guilty (as a non-vegetarian) of sometimes literally craving these. But why are they not okay for vegetarians? They are made using tallow which is rendered beef fat.
9. Wine– WHAT!?! This has to be the one that shocks me the absolute most. It seems impossible that a liquid could contain animal-derived products, but some brands do. That’s because when it comes time to filter or refine the wine, certain “fining agents” are used to remove particles, yeast, protein, and cloudiness. These fining agents often include “blood and bone marrow, casein (milk protein), chitin (fiber from crustacean shells), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), fish oil, gelatin (protein from boiling animal parts), and isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes),” according to PETA.
10. Beer– The same as wine in this case.  Many of the mass-produced varieties (Coors, Budweiser, Corona, Miller) are vegan, and you can always look up your favorite craft brew on Barnivore.
11. Protein Powder– As a vegetarian, you might think you’re doing yourself a world of good by slipping a spoonful of protein powder into your morning smoothie — but many protein powders, including whey protein, are not vegetarian. Whey protein typically contains bovine serum albumin — a protein derived from cows — and both whey and other protein powders often rely on L-cysteine, a dietary supplement often made from chicken feathers.
12. Bagels– Processed bagels — like that everything bagel you just picked up from Dunkin’ — are often made using L-cysteine as well. The amino acid, which is found naturally in the human body (hello, hair), is sometimes used as a “bread conditioner” to extend the shelf life of commercial bread products.
13. Original Altoids– It turns out that most Altoids are not vegetarian friendly. And it’s all because of gelatin (although one exception is their sugar-free smalls).
14. White Sugar– Strange but true: Many regular white sugar brands use bone char (usually a derivative of cow bones) to make the sugar whiter. Your best bet may be to stick with a slightly less white vegan sugar instead. Keep in mind that the ingredient list may instead say “natural carbon” — sneaky commercial-speak for the less appealing bone char.
15. Gummy Candy– Most brands rely on a dose of gelatin to obtain that chewy consistency we all love. And it isn’t just gummy bears — marshmallows, Starbursts, and candy corn are all culprits, too. Vegetarians might want to stick with Airheads, Jujubes, and Swedish Fish.

So now we have the list, and I must say this was a lot of fun to write about and compile while learning something new (which is a huge part of my 2025 vibe). Keep an eye on Make Food Safe for other fun articles in the coming year and of course top-notch food safety tips and recall information.