Is kolekalsiferol vegan?

Kolekalsiferol is a non-English term, used in languages such as Turkish and Indonesian, for cholecalciferol, which is the scientific name for vitamin D3. This compound is synthesized by exposing precursor sterols to ultraviolet light. Industrially, it is most often made from lanolin, a waxy substance washed from sheep wool, but it can also be extracted from plant-based sources such as lichen or algae. It typically appears on the ingredient lists of fortified foods, including breakfast cereals, plant-based milk alternatives, margarines, and nutritional supplements.

kolekalsiferol is possibly vegan because its source material determines its status, and product packaging rarely specifies this origin. While the animal source from sheep wool is the most common industry standard, lichen-derived versions provide a strictly plant-based alternative. Unless the product displays a certified vegan logo, shoppers must contact the manufacturer directly to confirm whether the kolekalsiferol in the product comes from sheep wool or lichen.