Certification News - vegconomist: the vegan business magazine

Danish Ice Cream Maker Kastbergs Achieves V-Label Certification for Vegan Sorbets

April 14, 2025

Kastbergs Is, a Danish producer of premium ice creams, has gained V-Label certification for its range of vegan sorbets. The sorbets are reportedly made with minimal processing, using natural fruit bases and recipes developed in collaboration with professional chefs. They are available in flavors such as lemon, raspberry, and mango, and are said to feature a consistent texture and melt profile optimized for plating and storage in professional kitchens. The desserts are sold in foodservice-friendly formats for institutional and HoReCa distribution. By gaining V-Label certification for the sorbets, Kastbergs Is hopes to align with the plant-based transition, offering a variety of low-emission, allergen-friendly dessert options. The company says plant-based innovation will be a key component of its future growth strategy. As part of a broader …

Organisations and brands:

Kastbergs Is

V-Label

Fermentation

F-Label Establishes Standards for Animal-Free Ingredients Produced via Fermentation

March 14, 2025

V-Label GmbH has introduced F-Label, a certification dedicated to precision fermentation and related animal-free production technologies. The certification applies to processes such as biomass fermentation, syngas fermentation, and cell-free synthesis, which produce compounds traditionally derived from animals without using animal inputs. F-Label is intended to provide transparency regarding the production process of these ingredients, ensuring they are animal-free while differentiating them from traditional plant-based products. Unlike vegan certification, which considers ethical and environmental factors, F-Label verifies that no animals were involved in production while acknowledging that the final products may be molecularly identical to animal-derived ingredients. The first company to receive F-Label certification is Luyef Biotechnologies, a biotech firm focused on alternative proteins. Luyef’s certified product is a precision-fermented myoglobin designed to enhance the color, …

Organisations and brands:

F-Label

Luyef

V-Label

Owen Ensor. © Meatly

Interviews

Meatly: “As the Number of Cultivated Meat Companies Proliferates, We Hope to Set the Standard for the Industry”

February 7, 2025

Meatly is a cultivated meat company which became the first in Europe to receive regulatory approval after gaining clearance to sell cultivated chicken for pet food in the UK last year. The company achieved this milestone with a team of ten after raising just £3.5 million. Meatly also recently became the first company to be certified under C-Label, a new trademark for cultivated food products launched by V-Label. The certification aims to help consumers understand the production process behind cultivated meat, while enhancing trust and acceptance of cultivated products. Owen Ensor is the CEO of Meatly; previously, he was a Bain consultant and ran an insect protein facility. We spoke to him to find out more about the company’s partnership with C-Label. As the first …

Organisations and brands:

Meatly

Renato Pichler. © V-Label

Interviews

C-Label: “We Stand at a Political Tipping Point and It Is Crucial That Cultivated Meat Receives Approval”

January 28, 2025

V-Label was founded 29 years ago and is now one of the world’s best-recognized vegan and vegetarian trademarks. It supports more than 35 NGOs worldwide and certifies over 70,000 products from 4,800+ licensees. Recently, V-Label launched C-Label, a new trademark for cultivated products. It is said to be the first independent authority to certify cultivated food producers around the globe. Renato Pichler is the CEO of Swissveg, the founder of V-Label GmbH, and a board member of ProVeg and the European Vegetarian Union. He has been working full-time to spread veganism and vegetarianism since 1993. We spoke to him to find out more about the new C-Label certification. Why is it essential for cultivated meat to have a dedicated certification like C-Label? Cultivated meat is …

Organisations and brands:

V-Label

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

V-Label Introduces C-Label, a New Certification for Cultivated Food Products

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

V-Label, the organization behind one of the world’s best-known vegan and vegetarian trademarks, has announced the launch of a new certification for cultivated food products. Called C-Label, it is said to be the first independent authority to certify cultivated food producers around the globe. To qualify, products must meet several conditions: Animal-free cell growth media must be used. Any interventions or procedures requiring animals must be demonstrably necessary, painless, and stress-free. Animals must not be killed during the procurement or manufacturing process. End products must be GMO-free, though GMOs may be used in the production process. Antibiotics must not be used, and products must be made using a pathogen-free process. They must also be free of heavy metals and plastics. Cell extractions from animals must …

Organisations and brands:

Meatly

V-Label

Retail & E-Commerce

PBFA Paper Highlights Crucial Role of Transparent Labeling, Vegan Certification and Nudging in US Retail

May 14, 2024May 13, 2024

Research by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) has found that 70% of those surveyed are aware of the organization’s Certified Plant-Based seal. In the white paper, the PBFA also notes that 76% of shoppers believe transparency around ingredients and production methods is important. Furthermore, a huge 98% of consumers notice certifications when shopping, while 74% trust products more if they have a certified seal. The Certified Plant Based seal provides an authoritative definition of the term “plant-based”, which had previously remained ambiguous. Products marked with the seal are confirmed to be made with plants, fungi, and/or algae, and are entirely free of animal ingredients. The PBFA finds that plant-based certification acts as a nudge, a simple intervention that encourages consumers to purchase a product. …

Organisations and brands:

Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA)

Company News

The Cultivated B. Achieves ISO Certification for Quality Management and Efficiency

April 4, 2024

German bioengineering company The Cultivated B. (TCB) announces the achievement of a significant milestone: obtaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification. This globally recognized standard for quality management aims to demonstrate a company’s commitment to efficiently and effectively meeting the needs of its customers and stakeholders. Valid for three years, this ISO certification underscores TCB’s commitment to quality management, operational efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. According to the company, the certification process involved a comprehensive audit of the company’s operations, including developing a robust quality management system and detailed process documentation across all departments. As explained by ISO, implementing ISO 9001 signifies that an organization has established efficient processes and adequately trained employees to deliver high-quality products or services consistently. Dr. Hamid Noori, CEO of The Cultivated B., shares, …

Organisations and brands:

The Cultivated B

Studies & Numbers

Survey: 1 in 3 UK Shoppers Use On-Pack Symbols to Identify Animal-Free Products

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

A new survey by The Vegetarian Society has found that 1 in 3 (34%) UK shoppers look for an on-pack symbol when attempting to determine whether a product is animal-free. Among vegetarian and vegan shoppers, 77% said that they often or always check for a Vegetarian Society logo. 37% of all shoppers were familiar with the charity’s symbols — one for vegetarian products, and another for vegan ones. The logos are now used on thousands of products across the UK, including food, clothing, household items, and restaurant menus. Previous Vegetarian Society research indicates that 82% of consumers would prefer to see the symbols on packaging, rather than reading through all the ingredients to determine if a product is animal-free. Importance of certification The results of …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegetarian Society

Charity & Campaigns

China Vegan Society Introduces Vegan Food Certification Program, Reveals First Successful Applicants

April 13, 2023

The vegan movement in China is gaining momentum, as seen with the launch of the China Vegan Food Certification (CVFC) program on March 31, 2023. Developed over two years by a committee led by the China Vegan Society, the Beijing Soybean Foods Association, and the China Biodiversity Conservation & Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), the CVFC offers two certifications for vegan products: the Vegan Food Certification and the Vegan & Pungent-Free Food Certification. The CVFC was created to standardize vegan claims within the Chinese market, increase transparency and consumer trust in vegan products, and encourage consumers and food producers to make animal-free choices. The new certification aligns with international vegan standards and offers a subcategory for in-demand “Buddhist-friendly” vegan products, explains the China Vegan Society. Currently, …

Organisations and brands:

China Vegan Society

Steve Hamon © The Vegan Society

People

Vegan Society CEO Visits South Korea as Country’s Vegan Market Surges

March 17, 2023

Vegan Society CEO Steve Hamon is planning a trip to South Korea, as the country’s demand for plant-based products grows rapidly. 250 South Korean brands have now collectively registered almost 3000 products with the Vegan Society Trademark. As part of his visit, Hamon will meet trademark holders and attend events — including speaking at the country’s largest vegan exhibition, VeganFiesta. It is hoped that this will encourage more brands to register with the trademark. “The vegan certification system of the Vegan Trademark helps consumers easily check and purchase vegan products by giving credibility to their vegan status. As The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark is an international mark, it works as a reliable indicator of the safety of our products and ingredients to consumers around the world,” …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegan Society

Cosmetics & Bodycare

Vegan Trademark Certifies 30,000th Cosmetics Product as Market Projected to Reach $21.4Bn

March 8, 2023

The Vegan Society‘s Vegan Trademark has reached a new milestone with the certification of its 30,000th animal-free cosmetics product. The trademark began as a certification scheme for the food sector in 1990, expanding to include cosmetics in 2005. Of the more than 65,000 products carrying the trademark, cosmetics and toiletries now account for 45%. The 30,000th cosmetics product to be registered was LUSH’s “After” Magnesium Massage Bar. The Vegan Society said it was “wonderful” that the milestone had been reached with LUSH, as the brand has been a client since 2006. LUSH also campaigns extensively against animal testing, and 95% of its range is fully vegan. Fast-growing market The vegan beauty market is growing rapidly, with a market report predicting that it will be worth …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegan Society

Facts & Figures

V-Label Reveals Updated Logos as Number of Certified Products Exceeds 50,000

January 9, 2023

V-Label, the world’s leading vegan and vegetarian trademark, has unveiled its newly updated logos in response to continued global growth and expansion. The trademark originated in Europe, but now certifies over 50,000 products from more than 4,300 licensees globally. The new logos will make it easier to differentiate between vegan and vegetarian products, with the vegan logo retaining its yellow background and the vegetarian logo now featuring a green background. The text has also been updated to stand out more. Due to the large number of certified products, V-Label believes it could take up to two years for the changes to be reflected across all items. The organisation hopes the long transition period will prevent packaging with the old logo from being wasted. Vegan certification …

Organisations and brands:

V-Label

vegan trademark

two pea protein bars with dark chocolate cover on top of a table

Ingredients

Merit Launches “Superior Quality” Certified Organic Pea Protein for F&B Manufacturers

December 12, 2022

Merit Functional Foods, a Canadian company that produces plant-based protein ingredients, recently launched its first USDA Certified Organic pea protein, Organic Peazazz C™ 850. The company claims its new pea protein is the most transparent and sustainable ingredient available to F&B manufacturers to date. Organic Peazazz is intended for use in various applications, including ready-to-drink (RTD) and ready-to-mix (RTM) protein drinks, dairy alternatives, protein bars, and other food products. Ryan Bracken, Merit’s co-CEO, commented on the recent launch: “Organic protein is undoubtedly more laborious, as it requires stricter growing processes, stringent regulations, and unique filtration processes to get it right. For that reason, certified organic options are scarce in the market with limited availability. We have worked to make organic pea protein scalable, accessible, and the highest …

Organisations and brands:

Merit Functional Foods

Society

SCS Global Launches New Plant-Based Certification to Support Transparency in Labeling

September 11, 2023November 30, 2022

SCS Global Services, a leader in third-party certification, announces the launch of its Plant-Based Certification Program. The program, built around a new standard from the nonprofit development body SCS Standards, seeks to help consumers make better-informed choices by distinguishing plant-based brands through rigorous auditing, testing and labeling requirements. Certification under the new SCS-109 Standard confirms that products do not contain any animal-derived inputs; products eligible to receive certification include food, beverages, CBD, and body care products. According to the standard, products for human and animal consumption must contain a minimum of 95% plant-based ingredients, while other items, such as body care products, must contain a minimum of 50% plant-derived ingredients. SCS states that the certification’s audit mechanisms, procedures, and quality systems are aligned with its …

vegan foie gras product called voie gras made by gourmet garden

Products & Launches

Garden Gourmet Launches Vegan Foie Gras in Swiss and Spanish Supermarkets

November 25, 2022November 25, 2022

Garden Gourmet, Nestle’s plant-based brand, recently announced the launch of a limited edition of Voie Gras, the brand’s vegan alternative to foie gras, in Swiss and Spanish supermarkets. Voie Gras, which simulates the taste, texture, and aroma of the traditional duck liver pâté, will be the first vegan-certified alternative to reach large retail distribution in both countries, said Garden Gourmet in a statement. Foie gras consumption has fallen Traditionally, foie gras producers force-feed ducks to make their livers fatty for the rich and greasy spread. This routine is widely considered one of the cruellest practices in the farming industry. According to Animal Equality UK, foie gras production is banned in many countries, including Switzerland, the UK, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Poland, Germany, and Turkey. …

Organisations and brands:

Nestlé

Marketing & Media

Israel’s Vegan Friendly Launching First US Branch with Primetime TV Campaign

May 26, 2022May 25, 2022

Vegan Friendly, an Israeli nonprofit, is bringing its groundbreaking brand of vegan advocacy to the US for the first time. After successfully increasing access to plant-based food and raising awareness of factory farming in Israel and the UK, the group is opening its first US branch in New York City. Beginning next month, Vegan Friendly will also air a new ad campaign, “Hell of a Steak”, on US primetime television. Innovative advocacy Founded in 2012, Vegan Friendly uses high-tech R&D to promote veganism through multiple creative platforms, including social media, billboards, ad campaigns, and large events, reports Israel21C. The self-sustaining organization has developed a number of successful projects, including the purple Vegan Friendly certification seal, which is carried on 8,000 vegan food products and 2,000 …

Eve Vegan

Marketing & Media

Vibio: World’s First Personal Pleasure Toys Achieve Vegan Society Certification

February 25, 2022February 16, 2022

Vibio, the queer and women-owned sex tech company, has become the first-ever to register its toys with The Vegan Society. Vibio’s app-controlled toy range as well as its lubricants have been verified as entirely free from animal products and testing and certified with the Vegan Trademark. Vibio was founded in 2018 by childhood friends Alma Ramírez Acosta and Patricia Cervantes Santana. The team launched its first vibrator and accompanying app via Kickstarter and now has a range of four toys made from body-safe platinum-grade silicone. Vibio also produces educational content for those wishing to find out more about sexual wellbeing. Lubricants, toys, and condoms can contain animal derivatives such as enzymes, animal skin or beeswax, or may have been tested on animals, making vegan certification …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegan Society

Company News

Avery Dennison Becomes First Manufacturer of Adhesive Labels to Receive Vegan Certification

February 25, 2022February 15, 2022

On a mission to face contemporary issues in the global labeling industry, US-based Avery Dennison, a global manufacturing company specializing in labeling and functional materials, just introduced its newly developed 100% vegan self-adhesive labels. Founded in 1935 as Avery Adhesives in downtown Los Angeles, the self-adhesive label pioneer merged with Dennison Manufacturing to form Avery Dennison in 1990. Over the past 80+ years, the company has grown into a global Fortune 500 corporation with a turnover of US$6.971 billion in 2020. The First Label Manufacturer to Achieve Vegan Certification The company’s products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications. Moreover, the company offers tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications, as well …

©Texon

Leather Alternatives

Texon Achieves Vegan Society Certification for Vogue Plant-Based Alt Leather

March 2, 2022January 17, 2022

Texon Vogue has received certification from the Vegan Society as a fully vegan plant-based leather alternative. Texon – the global manufacturer of materials for the footwear and textile industries – made the move in celebration of Veganuary and the growing popularity of its sustainable and cruelty-free materials. The cellulose-based material Texon Vogue is a 100% natural alternative to leather widely used by brands, which carries the Forestry Stewardship Council and Oeko-Tex certifications as well as the globally renowned Vegan Trademark. Texon has seen a significant uplift in interest in its Vogue material over the last five years, which it attributes, in part, to the increasing number of people becoming vegan. Texon boasts many global brands in its manufacturing supply chain, including Adidas, New Balance, Decathlon, …

Organisations and brands:

The Vegan Society

The vegconomist-newsletterinformation for decision-makers

The vegconomist-newsletter
information for decision-makers