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What V-Label is and when it is placed on products
Table of Contents
1. Basic information
The V-Label is an international label placed on foodstuffs which does not contain ingredients of direct animal origin or are not used for its production. It is in the form of a letter V with a letter at the end of the right arm and the term vegan (vegan) or vegetarian (vegetarian).2. The story
V-Label (in the form of the letter V with a leaf on the right arm) is a symbol with an incomplete 50-year history. It first appeared as the logo of the Italian vegetarian organization AVI (association Vegetariana Italiana) in 1976. In the following years it became widespread, and in 1996. In Switzerland it was registered as a symbol for the certification of vegetarian and vegan products.3. Types of certificates
The following V-Label certification distinguishes two types of products: vegetarian and vegan. The following definitions are given below. A vegan product is one that is not of animal origin and is not produced at any stage using animal ingredients such as additives, carriers, flavours, spices, enzymes and other products. In practice, vegetarian food includes, among others. Meat and products derived from slaughter (e.g. seafood), fish and seafood, eggs of fish, milk of animals, insect carcasses (including meat products deriving from meat products, egg yolks and other vegetable juices), vegetables and vegetables. In the manufacturing process, however, there are two distinct characteristics, namely that the use of vegetable products (such as meat and meat products and vegetable fats and eggs) can be used in accordance with this Regulation.4. Additional certification criteria
The composition of the products (including ingredients whose labelling is not mandatory) to be certified with the V-Label is to be carefully analysed. However, this is not the only criterion influencing the decision to grant it. Attention is also paid to the entire manufacturing and processing process of the article to ensure that it is not at any stage in contact with animal products (e.g. microbial feed) so that the quantity of non-vegetarian and non-vegetarian substances in the final product does not exceed 0,1%.5. The certification process
The V-Label certification process consists of five steps: 1. The manufacturer who wishes to have his product awarded the V-label mark declares his wish by submitting data on his company and the goods to be licensed. 2. In response, he receives an individual offer with a price quote from the V‐Label team. 3. Upon acceptance of the offer, the licensor sends the following instructions for the verification process: 1. The manufacturers who wish to have their product given the VLabel mark request the necessary documentation, in some cases it is also necessary to carry out laboratory analysis or verification tests. 4. After successful verification, the manufacturer receives a licensing agreement from his factory Signed that the product can be used in accordance with the usual V‐label licence. The manufacturing organisation must also provide the necessary documents for the approval of the product in order to continue to apply the designation of the logo. If the product has not been approved by the V.Label, it must also be submitted to the Manufacturer for approval within 2 weeks of the approval.6. Certified products
At the beginning of 2023, V-Label certification had more than 50 thousand products worldwide from 4,3 thousand. Licensees. It is worth noting that these were not only foodstuffs; the V- Label is also awarded to manufacturers of cosmetics, industrial chemicals, supplements, clothing and other non-food products (books, candles or jewellery). Certificates are also held by some service providers, e.g. restaurants, dietary caterers, hotels and boarding houses.7. Summary
V-Label is a mark which can facilitate the purchase decisions of vegetarians and vegans. This is particularly important for ethical people, for whom it is important that not only food but also everyday objects are not of animal origin. However, it should be noted that not all plant products are labelled with the V-label logo. In this case, if there are any doubts about the composition of the product or its production process, it is worth contacting the manufacturer directly for full information.
