Sengmyongmul Soy Sauce Earns Vegan Certification, Enhancing Its Health Appeal!

The “vegan” trend is gaining global attention. In particular, due to the impact of COVID-19, more people have become inclined toward healthier eating, accelerating the growth of the vegan market.

“Vegan” refers simply to a diet focused on plant-based foods, but there are several types of vegetarianism. The strictest form is “vegan.” Those who include fish in their plant-based diet are called “pescatarians,” and those who consume milk and eggs are called “lacto-ovo vegetarians.”

There are also more flexible types, such as “flexitarians” who mostly follow a plant-based diet but occasionally eat meat; “pollotarians” who avoid beef and pork but eat poultry; “lacto vegetarians” who consume dairy but not eggs; and “ovo vegetarians” who eat eggs but avoid dairy.

As the range of vegetarianism expands and eating habits shift, the number of vegetarians in Korea has surpassed 2.5 million. The food industry has quickly responded by releasing new vegan products or obtaining vegan certifications for existing ones. Sengmyongmul Soy Sauce by Sengmyongmul Food Company has also received vegan certification, meeting the growing demand.

Currently, three types of Sengmyongmul soy sauce — Brewed Premium Soy Sauce, Brewed Gold Soy Sauce, and Brewed Light Soy Sauce — have been certified by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services (KAVCS).

In the past, obtaining vegan certification required going through institutions in the U.S. or Europe. However, with the establishment of KAVCS in 2018, the process has become more accessible domestically. Still, the verification standards remain strict in Korea.

To obtain vegan certification, first, no animal-derived ingredients can be used in the manufacturing, processing, or cooking stages — not even indirectly. Second, animal testing is strictly prohibited. Third, there must be no cross-contamination during the production process. Facilities must prevent contamination between equipment, and sanitation protocols and cleaning procedures must be thoroughly implemented. There are many other detailed requirements as well.

Thanks to the recognition of its vegan-certified soy sauce, Sengmyongmul has released a vegan soy sauce gift set in time for Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). A representative from Sengmyongmul Food stated, “We’ve launched the vegan gift set in response to evolving food trends. As a food company committed to health, we will continue doing our best to satisfy a wide range of customers.”