Vegetarian Brand Name Foods List

I recently discovered that many common brand name foods contain animal-derived ingredients, even if the ingredients on the packaging do not say so directly. As a vegetarian, I discovered that ingredients like glycerin, mono and diglycerides, and gum base (just to name a few) can be animal or vegetable based. This can be tough to decipher if not given this certification in advance. Because of this issue, I've decided to list foods that are either vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on certain ingredients.

I personally wrote to the companies of the products listed and give a summary of what I asked and their response. The foods listed are foods that I could not find as certified vegetarian from previous internet searches.

The list is based on replies I have received after e-mailing the product's company. Hopefully this "random" list helps you as much as it helps me!

*This list does not guarantee that the following products are vegan.

Vegetarian:

• Cow Tales - I am so glad this chewy, yummy caramel candy with a creme center is animal friendly (despite the name)! According to a reply I got from the company, they state that, "Our products do not contain gelatin or any animal-derived material. The mono and diglycerides are derived from soy bean." Yay :)
• Otis Spunkmeyer - Yes, the makers of those gargantuan chocolate chocolate chip muffins found at so many office meetings. I always shied away from them since they were dense in fat, but my sweet tooth kicked one day and I had to know if these were vegetarian friendly. They responded my e-mail with this: "Both are derived from non-animal sources. Hope this helps answer your question!" (Both pertains to mono and diglycerides and natural and artificial flavors). Yes, it does answer my question, and I can enjoy these without concern (except maybe for my figure..)
• Quaker Life Nutrition Bar - I received a sample a few weeks ago, but wanted to make sure the glycerin that was listed in the ingredients was indeed vegetable derived. I received this response: "I'd like you to know that the glycerin used in all Quaker snack bars is a vegetable source." So I assume this includes Chewy bars as well. I've always enjoyed Quaker products and now I can continue snacking without fear! Yay :)
  

Non-Vegetarian:

• Chex Mix (store brought, not home made) - I specifically asked about the Chex Mix Bold Party Blend, and received this reply, "Mono and Diglycerides are from an animal source in our products. To look up the enzymes, we will need the UPC code from the product." Just to be safe, I'll probably be making home made Chex Mix if I ever have a craving for it.