Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Founded in 1847, The Vegetarian Society is one of the world’s oldest and most respected organizations dedicated to promoting a vegetarian lifestyle. Headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, the society has played a pivotal role in shaping plant-based advocacy, certification, and education. Through a combination of community engagement, policy work, and product accreditation, it continues to be a cornerstone of the vegetarian and vegan movement in the UK and internationally.

Core Business

The Vegetarian Society is a non-profit organization focused on promoting the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle for health, the environment, and animal welfare. Its core services include certification of vegetarian and vegan products, consumer education, cookery classes, campaign organization, and lobbying for improved food labeling and policy regulations.

It is responsible for managing the Vegetarian Society Approved trademarks, which help consumers easily identify products that meet rigorous vegetarian or vegan standards.

Product and Service Offerings

• Certification Services:

  • Vegetarian Society Approved (Vegetarian): No meat, fish, or slaughter by-products; includes controls for cross-contamination.
  • Vegetarian Society Approved (Vegan): No animal ingredients, testing, or cross-contamination.
  • Comprehensive ingredient and supplier audits for certification

• Cookery School:

  • Accredited vegetarian and vegan cooking classes
  • Professional training for chefs and catering teams
  • Online workshops and recipes for the general public

• Policy and Campaigns:

  • Annual National Vegetarian Week
  • Advocacy on food labeling, sustainability, and health policies
  • Education initiatives in schools and local communities

• Resources and Publications:

  • Nutrition guides and meal planning
  • Support for transitioning to a vegetarian or vegan diet
  • Online recipe hub with over 600 plant-based recipes

Specialization and USP

The Vegetarian Society is unique as both an advocacy and certification body. It is widely trusted by consumers and retailers for offering independently verified labels that ensure:

• No cross-contamination with non-vegetarian ingredients
• No animal testing
• Strict supplier and ingredient traceability

Unlike generic "vegan-friendly" labels, its trademarks guarantee third-party verification, making it one of the most rigorous and respected plant-based certifications in the UK and beyond.

Financials

As a registered charity, The Vegetarian Society operates on a not-for-profit basis. Financial highlights from recent public records show:

• Annual income of approximately £1.2 million in FY 2022–2023, derived from grants, memberships, donations, and certification services
• Over 25% of revenue generated through certification schemes
• Increasing demand for its services, reflected in a 40% rise in vegan product accreditations since 2020

The organization continues to reinvest its income into public education, community outreach, and policy advocacy.

Shipments and Export Data

While The Vegetarian Society does not manufacture or export products itself, its trademarks appear on thousands of globally distributed items, including:

• Ready meals
• Bakery products
• Supplements
• Personal care items

Certified products are available in major UK retailers such as Sainsbury’s, Tesco, ASDA, and Holland & Barrett, and are exported to over 50 countries through private brands and third-party manufacturers.

Recent data from TradeMo and company sources suggests that over 3,000 products currently carry the Vegetarian Society Approved logo, with expansion into Asia and North America ongoing.

Target Market

• Food and Beverage Manufacturers
• Cosmetics and Personal Care Brands
• Retailers and Supermarkets
• Catering and Foodservice Providers
• Vegan, Vegetarian, and Flexitarian Consumers

The trademarks appeal to a rapidly growing global market of plant-based consumers, estimated at over 14% of the UK population and expanding worldwide.

Capabilities

• Robust Certification Infrastructure: In-house technical team and external advisory board ensure high compliance standards
• Consumer Engagement: Membership base of thousands, with strong social media and content marketing strategies
• Training and Education: Hands-on cookery school and virtual learning platforms
• Policy Advocacy: Regular submissions to government consultations and collaboration with public health authorities

Certifications and Compliance

• Trademark Certification Standards meet or exceed EU and UK food labeling laws
• Regular audit cycles and re-certification protocols
• Access to supplier assurance documentation for each certified product
• Label use monitored and protected by legal trademark enforcement

The Vegetarian Society Approved logos are recognized as a mark of trust and traceability, particularly in sensitive sectors like health foods, dietary supplements, and allergy-safe foods.

Customer Testimonials

Manufacturers and retailers consistently report increased consumer trust and sales after certification:

• “Our product flew off the shelves after gaining the Vegetarian Society Approved logo.”
• “Having third-party verification gave us credibility in the health and wellness sector.”
• “Consumers appreciate the reassurance of a trusted label over vague vegan-friendly claims.”

End-users cite clarity, simplicity, and confidence in their purchase decisions as key reasons for choosing certified products.

Major Achievements

• First vegetarian organization in the world, founded in 1847
• Developed and maintains one of the most recognized vegetarian and vegan trademarks in the UK
• Partnered with Food for Life, Meat-Free Monday, and other campaigns for sustainable diets
• Certified over 3,000 products and 400 brands
• Featured in BBC, The Guardian, ITV, and Plant Based News
• Played a key role in influencing UK school meal standards and public sector catering policies

The Vegetarian Society continues to evolve as a leader in vegetarian and vegan advocacy, blending rigorous certification with wide-reaching education and campaigning to create a more sustainable and compassionate food system.