Introduction
A vegan or vegetarian label is more than a formulation statement. For food manufacturers, certifiers, private-label producers and testing laboratories, it is a claim that may need to be supported with evidence. Supplier declarations, audits and ingredient specifications remain essential. They show what should be in a product. But they do not always prove what is actually present in the finished sample.
In complex supply chains, shared production environments and highly processed food matrices, animal-derived material may be introduced unintentionally through cross-contact, rework, compound ingredients or downstream handling. For this reason, many quality and authenticity programmes are adding molecular testing as an additional verification layer.
Real-time PCR can help laboratories detect animal-derived DNA in finished products and ingredients, supporting more confident decisions around vegan and vegetarian label claims [1].
A vegan or vegetarian claim usually begins with documentation: supplier statements, formulation records, certificates and audit evidence. These documents are important, but they describe intent and process control. They do not directly test the product in front of you.
For a laboratory or QA team, this creates a practical verification gap. Animal-derived DNA may be present even when the formulation is designed to be vegan or vegetarian. Possible sources include:
shared equipment used for both animal- and plant-based products
In many cases, the question is not whether a supplier intended to provide a compliant ingredient. The question is whether the finished product contains detectable animal-derived material. That is where analytical testing becomes valuable. It gives QA teams, certifiers and contract laboratories a sample-based check that complements supplier documentation and strengthens the overall authenticity programme.
Real-time PCR is well suited to laboratories that need sensitive, targeted and routine-ready testing.
By detecting specific DNA sequences, real-time PCR can help identify the presence of animal-derived material in ingredients or finished products. This is particularly useful when products have been processed, when proteins may be degraded, or when the laboratory needs a targeted screen for animal DNA [1,2].
For lab managers, real-time PCR offers several practical advantages:
However, reliable real-time PCR testing depends on more than the assay itself. Sample preparation, DNA extraction, matrix validation, inhibition controls and predefined interpretation criteria all play an important role [3].
To use real-time PCR effectively for vegan and vegetarian claim verification, laboratories should define the workflow before routine testing begins.
1. Start with the sample and matrix
Different food matrices behave differently. Plant-rich products, oils, spices, processed foods and complex additives may contain PCR inhibitors or degraded DNA. The extraction method should therefore be suitable for the sample type and validated in the matrices the laboratory expects to test [3].
2. Include the right controls
Controls are essential for confidence in the result. A robust workflow should include extraction controls, no-template controls and internal amplification controls. These help the laboratory identify contamination, failed extraction or PCR inhibition.
3. Validate performance in relevant products
Before routine use, the laboratory should understand the assay’s performance in its own sample types. This includes limit of detection, repeatability, robustness and performance after processing [3].
4. Define interpretation rules in advance
Results should not be interpreted ad hoc. The laboratory should define clear decision rules before testing begins. For example, some programmes may treat any confirmed detection of animal DNA as a trigger for investigation. Others may apply thresholds based on risk assessment, product type or process capability.
5. Report results in operational language
A useful report should not only state “detected” or “not detected.” It should also include the method used, control performance, relevant assay limitations, matrix context and any recommended follow-up action. This helps QA teams and auditors understand what the result means and how it should be used.
For laboratories already using real-time PCR, the InviScreen® Vegan Identification LyoKit provides a practical molecular testing option for vegan and vegetarian claim verification workflows.
The kit is designed to support the detection of animal-derived DNA using real-time PCR. Its lyophilised format helps simplify assay setup, supports stable storage and reduces the number of preparation steps needed before testing. For busy laboratories, this can make implementation easier and improve consistency between operators and runs.
The kit can be integrated into a broader authenticity programme alongside validated DNA extraction methods, such as the InviSorb® Spin Food Kit or InviMag® Food Kit, as well as appropriate controls and laboratory-specific validation criteria. Used in this way, it supports routine, audit-ready testing for laboratories that need to verify vegan and vegetarian label claims with molecular evidence.
Rather than replacing supplier management or certification processes, the InviScreen® Vegan Identification LyoKit adds a sample-based verification layer. It helps laboratories move from documentation alone to analytical confirmation.
Key takeaway: make vegan claim verification routine, not reactive
Vegan and vegetarian claims are built on trust, but trust is strongest when it is supported by evidence.
Supplier documentation, audits and process controls remain essential. But in complex food production environments, they may not be enough on their own. Routine molecular testing gives laboratories and QA teams an additional way to verify whether animal-derived DNA is present in ingredients or finished products.
By integrating real-time PCR into a documented authenticity workflow, laboratories can support clearer release decisions, stronger audit readiness and greater confidence in vegan and vegetarian label claims.
The InviScreen® Vegan Identification LyoKit was developed to help laboratories add this molecular verification step in a practical, routine-ready format.
Need support integrating real-time PCR into your vegan or vegetarian claim verification workflow? Contact us.
[1] Mi X, Yang J, Cao L, Wei X, Zhu Y, Li Q, Liu X, He X, Liao Q, Yan Z. Potential DNA markers as a rapid tracing tool for animal adulterants in vegetarian food. Food Res Int. 2015;76(Pt 4):926–931. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2015.04.007.
[2] Köppel R, Lederman R, van Velsen F, Ganeshan A. Detection of animal DNA in vegan food by multiplex qPCR system. Eur Food Res Technol. 2021;247(1):77–83. doi:10.1007/s00217-020-03608-7.
[3] Bustin SA, Benes V, Garson JA, Hellemans J, Huggett J, Kubista M, et al. The MIQE guidelines: minimum information for publication of quantitative real-time PCR experiments. Clin Chem. 2009;55(4):611–622. doi:10.1373/clinchem.2008.112797.