is mono and diglycerides pork

Are Mono- and Diglycerides Made from Pork? What Vegans Need to Know

For those following plant-based diets checking ingredient lists is an important part of grocery shopping. Mono- and diglycerides are common food additives but their source isn’t always clear from packaging. This leaves many vegans wondering – are mono- and diglycerides made from pork?

Unfortunately the answer isn’t straightforward. While these emulsifiers can come from vegetable oils animal fats like pork are also sometimes used. Here’s what you need to know about the origins of mono- and diglycerides, plus tips for identifying vegan sources.

What Are Mono- and Diglycerides?

Mono- and diglycerides are a type of food additive used as emulsifiers Their role is to help mix oils and water together in products like

• Margarine
• Peanut butter
• Coffee creamers
• Ice cream
• Baked goods
• Salad dressings
• Sauces

Without emulsifiers like these, the oil would float to the top and separate rather than staying incorporated. Mono- and diglycerides improve texture and prevent this separation.

They are made by breaking down animal or vegetable triglyceride fats and removing some of the fatty acids. The more fatty acids removed, the more the molecule acts as an emulsifier rather than just a fat.

How Are They Made?

Mono- and diglycerides are produced through a process called glycerolysis. This involves:

• Heating triglyceride fats to very high temperatures of around 570°F (300°C)
• Adding glycerol (also called glycerin)
• Mixing in a catalyst like sodium hydroxide

This causes the fatty acids to partially break away from the triglyceride molecule. After cooling, the mixture contains varying amounts of mono-, di-, and triglycerides. Distillation then separates out the mono- and diglycerides.

Vegetable oils like soybean, palm, and coconut are commonly used. But animal fats like beef tallow or lard can also be used as the starting triglyceride.

Are Animal Fats Like Pork Used?

Some mono- and diglycerides are made from beef or pork. However, others come from plant sources like palm, soy, or coconut.

Companies are not required to disclose the specific source of mono- and diglycerides on packaging. The ingredient list just shows “mono- and diglycerides” without indicating if they are from vegetable or animal origins.

This makes it impossible to tell whether pork was used just by reading labels. Reaching out to manufacturers is the only way to confirm their sources.

In some cases, mono- and diglycerides derived from pork may be used as they can be cheaper. But vegetable-sourced versions are also common.

Are Mono- and Diglycerides Vegan?

For strict vegans, unless the mono- and diglycerides are clearly marked as vegetable-derived, it is safest to avoid products containing this additive.

However, levels of concern vary between different plant-based diets:

• Strict vegans will want to avoid animal-derived mono- and diglycerides.

• Lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat eggs/dairy may be less concerned if pork was used.

• Pescatarians who eat fish may also be comfortable consuming animal-based mono- and diglycerides as long as pork specifically is not used.

Ideally, manufacturers would be more transparent about sources. But when in doubt, vegans should opt for other foods that don’t contain this ambiguous ingredient.

Vegan Alternatives

Luckily, there are a few alternatives vegans can look for instead of mono- and diglycerides:

• Lecithin is made from soy or sunflowers and provides similar emulsifying properties.

• Lactic acid esters and citric acid esters are also vegetable-derived emulsifying agents.

• Gums like acacia or xanthan gum can act as thickeners and emulsifiers.

• Starches from corn, tapioca, or potatoes can help stabilize emulsions.

When following a vegan diet, it can take some extra work to analyze ingredients lists. But you can ensure you stay away from animal products like pork by getting familiar with common additives and their vegan counterparts.

What About Kosher or Halal Diets?

For those following kosher or halal diets, mono- and diglycerides also pose concerns. Even if vegetable-sourced, the production process may involve animal fats.

Under kosher and halal rules, any use of pork or non-halal meats during processing would make mono- and diglycerides non-kosher or non-halal. These religious certifications require careful segregation of ingredients from any forbidden sources.

As such, kosher or halal certification on food packaging provides more assurance that mono- and diglycerides – and all other ingredients – were produced according to religious dietary laws. Vegan consumers may also find these certifications helpful.

Should You Avoid Mono- and Diglycerides?

While unclear sourcing is frustrating, mono- and diglycerides themselves are not inherently dangerous:

• The FDA considers mono- and diglycerides made from animal or vegetable fats to be GRAS (generally recognized as safe) additives.

• No major health risks have been linked to mono- and diglycerides in human studies when consumed in small amounts as food additives.

• They make up a very minor component of most products. A small amount of mono- and diglycerides derived from pork is unlikely to cause issues for those without pork allergies.

So for those who do eat pork, these emulsifiers appear to be a safe part of an overall healthy diet. Those with specific dietary preferences or restrictions may prefer to avoid them or look for vegan alternatives when possible. But for the general population, mono- and diglycerides do not need to be completely avoided out of health concerns.

The Bottom Line

Can mono- and diglycerides come from pork? Yes – these common food additives can be derived from either vegetable or animal sources, like pork and beef tallow. Since manufacturers usually don’t specify on labels, it takes some extra effort to confirm their origins.

Vegans or those following religious dietary laws may wish to avoid ambiguous ingredients like these or look for kosher/halal certifications. But for others not avoiding pork, mono- and diglycerides appear to be safe when consumed in the small amounts used as emulsifiers.

While it requires some extra vigilance, carefully checking additive sources allows you to align your diet with your values and avoid any ingredients you prefer not to consume.