Tallow (Frying/Processing Fat) — Hidden Processing Agent — Is It Vegan?
Also known as: Beef tallow, Suet, Rendered beef fat, Dripping
Not Vegan
This processing agent is derived from animals or their byproducts.
Not required on labels
Must be declared when used as a food ingredient. Chip shops and some restaurants using beef dripping may not proactively display this.
Source
Rendered fat from cattle (beef tallow) or sheep (mutton tallow). Historically a major industrial fat and cooking medium.
Used In
Traditional chip frying (beef dripping chips), some commercial frying applications, historically in margarine, soap and candle manufacturing, leather conditioning, some Indian and South Asian cooking (ghee is related but distinct).
How to Avoid
Ask chip shops about their frying fat. McDonald's in the US infamously switched from beef tallow to vegetable oil in 1990 under pressure from anti-fat campaigners — leading to the current flavouring controversy (US McDonald's fries contain 'natural beef flavour' in the added flavour).
Editorial Notes
The revelation that McDonald's US fries were cooked in beef tallow (until 1990) and that the switch to vegetable oil was accompanied by adding 'natural beef flavour' was a source of significant controversy, particularly for vegetarians and observant Hindus. The UK fries never contained beef tallow and the 'natural beef flavour' ingredient is not present in UK formulations.