Chitosan — Hidden Processing Agent — Is It Vegan?

Vegan status: Not Vegan

Also known as: Chitin deacetylate, Shrimp shell extract, Crab shell fining agent

Source

Derived from chitin, extracted from the shells of crustaceans — primarily shrimp, crabs, and lobsters. Vegan alternatives derived from fungal chitin exist but are not yet mainstream in the food industry.

Used in

Wine fining and clarification, beer clarification, juice processing, water treatment. An antimicrobial agent in some food packaging. Approved as an oenological practice under EU wine regulations (Commission Regulation EC 606/2009, as amended by EU 2019/934) — specifically chitosan derived from Aspergillus niger.

Appears on label: No. Not required to be listed on wine or beer labels in most jurisdictions. Wines fined with chitosan will not disclose this on the label.

How to avoid

Use vegan wine apps (Barnivore, Vivino) to check wine status. Look for wines certified 'vegan' by The Vegan Society or similar. Ask the producer directly.

Notes

Chitosan is increasingly used as a fining agent in wine and beer as a replacement for animal-based agents like isinglass and gelatin. However, it is derived from crustacean shells and is not vegan. Fungal chitosan (from Aspergillus niger or other fungi) is a commercially developing vegan alternative that performs similarly.