Label: Vegan-Friendly
While no regulatory body oversees the "vegan-friendly" claim, it's somewhat easy to substantiate, if you know how to read the ingredients. Byproducts like honey and milk are obvious no-nos, but the average consumer might not recognize contents that may come from plants -- but also animals -- such as allantoin (uric acid), lactic acid, and caprylic acid.

To make things a bit easier, Vegan Action, a nonprofit public education group, offers its vegan.org stamp to manufacturers who submit signed testimonies that all ingredients come from vegan sources. The group also conducts product reviews, which may include contacting suppliers and performing sporadic lab tests. A manufacturer must renew its certification annually and notify Vegan Action of any changes in ingredients or sources.

Bottom Line
While the Consumers' Union rates Vegan Action's certified vegan label only somewhat meaningful because the group relies on manufacturers' honesty, they do rank it more reliable than claims of "100 percent vegan." Look for the vegan.org seal if animal welfare is your priority.

Text by Abbie Barrett