Trypsin — Hidden Processing Agent — Is It Vegan?
Also known as: Porcine trypsin, Bovine trypsin, Serine protease
Not Vegan
This processing agent is derived from animals or their byproducts.
Not required on labels
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.
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.
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.
Editorial 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.