Is Domino Sugar Vegan and Cruelty-Free?

August 1, 2023

Identifying whether Domino Sugar is vegan can be a bit of a conundrum. 

This challenge arises from the fact that manufacturers often cloak the nature and source of their ingredients in mystery. 

Fear not, for this article is here to dispel the fog and support you in maintaining your ethical vegan lifestyle.

Is Domino Sugar Vegan?

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as one might hope. Domino Sugar is technically not vegan, but there’s a bit more to the story. The key ingredient of Domino Sugar is, of course, sugar, which is derived from sugarcane. However, the bone of contention (pun intended) is the process through which this sugar is refined.

Domino Sugar uses bone char, a by-product of the cattle industry, to process its sugar. While bone char itself is not an animal product, it’s considered non-vegan because it’s derived from animals. Therefore, Domino Sugar is usually seen as non-vegan, particularly by those who are trying to avoid any form of support for the animal agriculture industry.

However, it’s important to note that Domino Sugar is moving towards more vegan-friendly practices. They’ve started using a vegan process known as ion exchange resin, which doesn’t involve animals or animal by-products. Natural charcoal, which can be made from a wide range of materials such as wood and coconut, is used to remove color and impurities from the sugar. 

This change in processing is a positive step towards more ethical practices, yet it doesn’t 

necessarily make all Domino Sugar vegan.

As a tip, you can check the lot code on Domino Sugar’s packaging. If it begins with the number 5, it means the sugar was made in Louisiana and is not vegan due to the use of bone char in the refining process.

Is Domino Sugar Cruelty-Free?

While Domino Sugar contains no animal products, it is not considered cruelty-free due to its past (and current, in Louisiana) use of bone char in its refining process. 

This process involves using charred animal bones to filter and whiten sugar. Even though the bone char is not present in the final product, the use of it can be seen as a support for industries that harm animals, which goes against the principles of a cruelty-free lifestyle.

What Is Domino Sugar Made Of?

Domino Sugar is a single-ingredient product:

  • Sugar

Now, let’s delve a bit deeper into the nature of this ingredient.

Sugar

Sugar, specifically the one used in Domino Sugar, is derived from sugarcane stalks. These stalks are pressed to release pure cane juice, which is then crystallized into raw sugar. The raw sugar is then refined to produce the final product, which is the granulated sugar we find in Domino Sugar’s packaging.

Vegan Alternatives to Domino Sugar

If you’re looking for alternatives to Domino Sugar that align with your vegan lifestyle, there are plenty of options available. Below are some vegan sugar brands that do not use bone char in their refining processes:

These brands offer a variety of products, including granulated white sugar, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, and powdered sugar, ensuring you can find a vegan sugar for all your sweetening needs.

Conclusion

So, while Domino Sugar is not made from animal products, it’s not considered vegan or cruelty-free due to its use of bone char in the refining process. 

However, there are many vegan sugar alternatives available, including organic sugar, raw sugar, beet sugar, and cane sugar from brands that do not use bone char. 

Choosing these alternatives can help support companies that align with vegan and cruelty-free values, contributing positively to the health of our planet and all its inhabitants. Remember, every small choice in food can make a big difference in supporting animal welfare and a sustainable future.