Trypsin — Hidden Processing Agent — Is It Vegan?

Vegan status: Not Vegan

Also known as: Porcine trypsin, Bovine trypsin, Serine protease

Source

A serine protease enzyme extracted from the pancreas of pigs (porcine) or cattle (bovine). Used industrially as a processing enzyme.

Used in

Cell culture media (used in pharmaceutical manufacturing to detach cells from culture surfaces — relevant to supplement and pharmaceutical production). Meat tenderising (some applications). Leather processing (bating). Some food applications.

Appears on label: No. Not required to be declared in most food applications. In pharmaceutical manufacturing it is a production process tool — the enzyme is not present in the final drug.

How to avoid

In most food and pharmaceutical contexts, trypsin is not present in the final product. Awareness is primarily relevant for those seeking to audit manufacturing supply chains comprehensively.

Notes

Trypsin is more relevant to pharmaceutical and cell biology contexts than everyday food consumption. Cell-cultured meat (lab-grown meat) producers use trypsin in some early processes, though many are developing trypsin-free or plant-derived alternatives. Porcine trypsin is also used in some cosmetic formulations.