There's never been a better time to go vegan in Australia. We are blessed with an abundance of fresh organic food and produce as well as an ever-expanding range of cruelty-free products including vegan cheese, chocolate, confectionary, cosmetics, toiletries, and so much more.
Better yet, you can buy a lot of these items in bulk from vegan wholesale suppliers or farmer's markets, meaning thriving as a vegan doesn't have to involve living beyond your budget.
That said, while going vegan is simple, staying vegan can be challenging if you don't know how to decode labels to work out which products are indeed vegan. Due to a lack of true 'clean' label guidelines or regulations, it can be difficult and time-consuming trying to avoid items made with animal-derived ingredients or products.
We've rounded up our top three tips for figuring out at a glance what's vegan and what isn't when shopping at your local wholesalers.
Whether you're looking to bulk buy vegan food for yourself or you need a vegan wholesaler for your business, we have everything you need. Get in touch with our friendly team at Terra Madre to chat about our organic vegan food wholesale.
1. Is it really vegan?
A lot of products appear to be vegan because they contain words like 'dairy-free' or 'lactose-free' on their packaging. Unfortunately, this doesn't necessarily mean they are vegan-friendly. If all the ingredients are plant-derived, then it should clearly say so on the packaging. Train yourself to read food labels and always scan for the following non-vegan ingredients:
- Casein
- Lactose
- Whey
- Honey
- Propolis
- Royal jelly
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Keratin
- Gelatine or aspic
- Lard or tallow
- Shellac
- Vitamin D3
- Albumen
- Isinglass
- Cod liver oil
- Pepsin
It may seem like a long list at first glance, but over time, these ingredients will start to leap out at you.
2. Does it contain non-vegan additives?
Most people who pursue a vegan lifestyle want to eat as naturally and healthily as possible. Food additives (also called E numbers) are used to keep food fresh or improve its colour, flavour, texture or appearance. They are usually either animal-based, plant-based, or a mixture of both.
While the jury's still out on the health impacts of food additives, vegans should commit the following food additives to memory, as they will derail your best intentions to live cruelty-free:
- E120—an animal-derived colouring agent used in food and drink products as well as cosmetics; also referred to as cochineal, carminic acid or carmines
- E441—an animal-derived emulsifier and gelling agent; also referred to as gelatine or aspic
- E542—an animal-derived anti-caking agent; also referred to as edible bone phosphate
- E901—an animal-derived glazing agent; also referred to as beeswax
- E904—an animal-derived glazing agent; also referred to as shellac
- E913—an animal-derived glazing agent; also referred to as lanolin
- E966—an animal-derived food sweetener; also referred to as lactitol
There are other food additives that may be unsuitable for a vegan diet. For a comprehensive list, check out this handy glossary.
3. Is it respectfully, ethically sourced?
There are a growing number of vegan wholesale suppliers in Australia that provide cost-effective food deliveries to businesses and individuals. We make embracing veganism easier and more affordable by supplying high-quality organic food and products at a fraction of what you would expect to pay at the supermarket or a speciality store.
As well as saving on your grocery bills, buying in bulk gives you a distinct advantage as a vegan with ethical concerns about food production and distribution. Most wholesale stores actively support sustainable and community-minded food growers and manufacturers, and put a priority on organic, fairtrade and biodynamic products.
Whether you are buying vegan food and products in bulk for yourself or your business, signing up to wholesale deliveries is an easy and cost-efficient way of managing your food expenditure without moral compromise or excess packaging. As well as stocking up on pantry staples and health products with the 'V' symbol, vegan wholefood suppliers can help you save money on ACO-certified organic produce and provide you with genuine, trustworthy advice and recommendations.
The Terra Madre difference
As a locally born-and-bred Victorian bulk food shop supplier that has been operating since 1996, we have Australia's most extensive range of ACO-certified organic products and genuinely care about offering the fair and competitive prices to our wholesale customers. We want to see veganism become even more mainstream and make a real difference to everyday people, the animals and the planet.
We are committed to building meaningful relationships with our customers and helping them drive change and cost savings through everyday actions like restocking the fridge. We are always happy to answer any questions our customers have when in doubt about specific products, and we can help you sort the non-vegan wheat from the cruelty-free chaff!
Learn more about our vegan food wholesale or find a retail location near you.
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