Vegan vs. Plant-Based vs. Animal-Free: The Differences

These three certifications sound similar but mean very different things. Here's how to choose the right one for your product.

Vegan

No animal-sourced ingredients of any kind. No animal-derived genes. The strictest seal.

Plant-Based

Majority plant-based ingredients, free of animal-sourced ingredients and processing. A consumer-friendly umbrella standard for plant-forward products.

Animal-Free

Free of animal-sourced ingredients and processing, but ingredients may be derived from animal genes — ideal for precision-fermentation products.

About AVA certification

The American Vegetarian Association® has certified food and consumer products since 1996. Our five certifications — Vegetarian, Vegan, Plant-Based, Animal-Free, and Recommended — give shoppers a quick, reliable way to identify products that meet a clear, audited standard. Each certification has its own publicly documented ingredient and processing requirements. Brands choose the seal that matches their formulation and consumer story, and AVA reviews the product against the criteria for that seal.

AVA Certification review takes 5 to 7 business days after we receive payment, ingredient list, product label, and sample. Certifications are valid for one year and renewable. Any change in formulation, supplier, or processing must be reported so the product can be re-reviewed before the AVA Logo continues to appear on packaging. Reach out via the Contact page or begin an application on the Get Certified page.

Choosing between the three

If your product is plant-forward and you want a recognizable mainstream seal, choose Plant-Based. If your product is strictly free of any animal-sourced ingredients or genes, Vegan is the strongest signal. If your product uses precision-fermentation or recombinant proteins derived from animal genes but produced without animals, Animal-Free is the only certification of the three that fits cleanly. Your AVA reviewer is happy to consult on which seal is the best fit before you commit to an application.