Do you really know? Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan?
Mar 17, 2026
A playful look at why some fruits might not be considered vegan. Tiny fig wasps and hidden insects get explained. Rules about animal-derived additives like cochineal and shellac are outlined. Ethical concerns about exploitative farming and non-vegan ripening sprays are raised. Practical tips on spotting non-vegan fruit in shops are offered.
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Fig Wasps Can End Up Inside Eaten Figs
- Joseph Chance recounts the surprising fact that figs can contain tiny wasps that pollinate from inside the fruit.
- He notes fig wasps are about 1–2 mm long and can get trapped inside, so you might unknowingly eat them when biting a fig.
Vegan Baseline Plus Personal Ethical Extensions
- Joseph Chance defines vegan food baseline as no animal flesh, no livestock byproducts, and no insect-derived additives like E120.
- He adds that beyond this baseline, personal ethics (e.g., environmental or labour concerns) can make foods non-vegan for some people.
Avocado And Coconut Supply Chain Problems
- Joseph Chance gives concrete examples where cultivation methods make fruits ethically problematic, citing Mexican avocados and Thai coconuts.
- He highlights Thai coconuts as controversial because harvesting can involve exploited monkeys.