Consumers increasingly expect products labelled as vegan to meet the highest standards of transparency and integrity. Vegan Verification helps manufacturers, retailers and food service businesses demonstrate due diligence by investigating whether detectable animal DNA is present within a food sample.
Food Forensics uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), a powerful non-targeted DNA testing technique capable of screening for thousands of animal species from a single sample. This enables broad investigations where unexpected animal material may be present.
Product LaunchesSupport new vegan product development and validation. |
Supplier ChangesVerify raw materials from new or alternative suppliers. |
Consumer ComplaintsInvestigate reports of unexpected ingredients. |
Shared Production LinesMonitor potential cross-contamination risks. |
Routine VerificationStrengthen ongoing quality assurance programmes. |
Retailer RequirementsProvide additional evidence to support due diligence. |
UKAS AccreditedAccredited laboratory providing trusted analytical testing. |
Food Integrity SpecialistsExperts in food authenticity, species identification and food fraud investigations. |
Technical AdviceOur scientists help determine the most appropriate testing strategy for your products. |
Food Forensics is proud to work with The Vegan Society to support its Vegan Trademark verification process for food, drink and animal feed products.
Using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), our laboratory can analyse samples for the presence of detectable animal DNA, providing independent scientific evidence to support vegan verification. This testing can be particularly valuable where supply chain information is incomplete or where additional reassurance is required.
Laboratory testing forms part of a wider verification process and complements, rather than replaces, the robust assessment carried out by The Vegan Society. Vegan Trademark applicants and existing Trademark Holders are still required to provide comprehensive technical information, including ingredient specifications, supplier documentation, manufacturing processes and cleaning procedures.
NGS testing can be used to support applications by helping demonstrate that ingredients, finished products and manufacturing processes are consistent with vegan expectations. It can also assist investigations into potential cross-contamination and provide additional confidence in production controls.
How Food Forensics Supports Vegan Trademark Applicants
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Our role is to provide independent scientific analysis that supports businesses throughout the verification process. By combining advanced DNA testing with practical food authenticity expertise, we help manufacturers, retailers and brand owners strengthen confidence in vegan label claims and supply chain integrity.
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Can you certify that my product is vegan?No. Certification of vegan foods by a recognised body considers manufacturing processes, supply chains, quality practices and the ingredients used. Where a product meets the required standards, certification may be granted. Laboratory testing is different. Food Forensics uses Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyse a submitted sample for the presence or absence of detectable animal DNA. The analytical profile is compared with that established for validated vegan products to provide independent scientific evidence. NGS testing can therefore support and monitor the certification process but does not replace certification itself. |
Can you detect traces of animal DNA?Yes. NGS can detect animal DNA present in a sample above its validated reporting threshold. It is a highly sensitive, non-targeted DNA analysis technique capable of identifying trace amounts of animal DNA that may be present through contamination or processing. Species detected above the validated reporting threshold (>0.5% of identified reads) are reported, providing valuable evidence to support vegan verification and food authenticity investigations. |
Is Vegan Verification suitable for processed foods?Yes, in most cases. NGS is suitable for many processed foods because DNA often survives common manufacturing processes. However, highly refined ingredients may contain little or no detectable DNA, which can limit the ability of the test to identify species. Where DNA is absent, highly degraded or inhibited, the result may be inconclusive or no result may be obtained. Our technical team can advise on sample suitability before testing. |
Does Vegan Verification replace supplier approval?No. Vegan Verification using NGS provides independent laboratory evidence of whether detectable animal DNA is present within the submitted sample. It complements, but does not replace, supplier approval, ingredient verification, risk assessments or quality management systems. Laboratory testing should form part of a wider food integrity programme. |
Can Food Forensics help investigate contamination?Yes. NGS is a powerful investigative tool capable of identifying unexpected animal species within a sample. Because the method is non-targeted, it can detect a broad range of species without requiring a predefined target list. This makes NGS particularly valuable when investigating contamination, adulteration, species substitution, mislabelling or unexpected findings within vegan and plant-based products. |
