Is Vitamin D3 Vegan? Lanolin vs Lichen & How to Check

Vitamin D3 is the reason most big-brand breakfast cereals in the US, and many in Ireland and the UK, aren't vegan. It doesn't sound like an animal product, and most people never think about where it comes from. The answer, usually, is sheep's wool.

Where vitamin D3 comes from

Source	What it is	Vegan?
Lanolin	The waxy grease that coats sheep's wool, collected when wool is washed	No
Fish oil	Oil from fish livers, used in some supplements	No
Lichen	A combination of fungus and algae, wild-harvested	Yes

Lanolin is by far the most common source in fortified food. A cholesterol-like compound is extracted from it and exposed to UV light, which converts it into vitamin D3, the same way your skin makes vitamin D in sunlight.

Vegan D3 from lichen has been sold since the early 2010s. It costs more, so when food companies use it, they usually say so ("vegan vitamin D3", "D3 from lichen").

Vitamin D2 vs vitamin D3

	Vitamin D2	Vitamin D3
Chemical name	Ergocalciferol	Cholecalciferol
Usual source	UV-treated yeast or mushrooms	Lanolin (or lichen, or fish)
Vegan?	Always	Only if from lichen
On labels	"Vitamin D2", "ergocalciferol"	"Vitamin D3", "cholecalciferol"

We cover which form is in a food, not which is better to take. For advice on vitamin D for your own diet, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or registered dietitian.

Where you'll find vitamin D3

Breakfast cereals: most Kellogg's and General Mills cereals in the US, including Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Cheerios and Rice Krispies.
Bread: some fortified breads, such as Wonder Bread.
Spreads and margarine: some vegetable spreads are fortified with D3.
Plant milks and yogurts: usually D2 or lichen D3, but check.
Supplements and gummy vitamins: many use lanolin D3.

How to read a label

Find the vitamins and minerals, usually at the end of the ingredients.
"Vitamin D3" or "cholecalciferol": assume it's from lanolin unless the pack says vegan or lichen.
"Vitamin D2" or "ergocalciferol": vegan.
"Vitamin D" with no number: common on UK and Irish packs. The form isn't stated, and it's usually D3.
A vegan logo means the D3 is from lichen, or the product uses D2.

Is vitamin D3 a big deal for vegans?

The amount in a bowl of cereal is tiny, and lanolin is collected from wool rather than by killing sheep, so some vegans eat D3-fortified foods without worrying. Others avoid them, because wool production involves animals. Our verdicts mark lanolin-based D3 as not vegan and name the ingredient, so you can make your own call.

The bottom line

Vitamin D3 is usually made from sheep's wool, so it isn't vegan unless the label says it's from lichen. Vitamin D2 is always vegan. See the vegan cereal list for cereals without D3.

FAQ

Is vitamin D3 vegan?

Usually not. Most D3 is made from lanolin, which comes from sheep's wool. D3 made from lichen is vegan and is normally labelled as vegan.

Is vitamin D2 vegan?

Yes. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) is made by exposing yeast or fungi to UV light.

What is lanolin?

A waxy substance produced by sheep's skin that coats their wool. It's collected when the wool is washed after shearing, then processed to make vitamin D3.

Is vitamin D3 vegetarian?

Lanolin-based D3 is generally considered vegetarian, because it comes from wool rather than slaughter. Some D3 is made from fish oil, which isn't vegetarian.

Why is vitamin D3 in cereal?

Many cereals, plant milks, spreads and breads are fortified with vitamin D. Manufacturers often use D3 because it's widely available.

How do I know which form of vitamin D is in a food?

Check the vitamins list. 'Vitamin D3' or 'cholecalciferol' is usually from lanolin. 'Vitamin D2' or 'ergocalciferol' is vegan. UK and Irish labels often just say 'vitamin D', which usually means D3.

Is vitamin D in plant milk vegan?

Usually. Many plant milks use vitamin D2 or lichen-based D3. Check the label, as some use lanolin-based D3.

Is lichen D3 the same as regular D3?

Yes, chemically. Lichen-derived D3 is cholecalciferol, the same molecule, just from a plant-like source rather than wool.

Is Vitamin D3 Vegan?