Vegetarian

Vegetarian is a dietary pattern that excludes meat, poultry, and fish. It typically includes dairy products, eggs, and plant-based foods. The term is often used by consumers to describe foods that do not contain animal flesh.

Manufacturers may label products as 'vegetarian' to indicate they align with this dietary choice. This is often relevant for products like cheese, yogurt, and baked goods where animal-derived ingredients like rennet or gelatin might otherwise be used.

The FDA does not specifically regulate the term 'vegetarian' on food labels beyond ensuring it is not misleading. From a health perspective, vegetarian diets are associated with various benefits, according to reviews published in journals like the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. These diets are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber and certain vitamins. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not issued specific guidance on vegetarianism as a dietary pattern but has provided extensive reports on the health impacts of red and processed meat consumption.