NOT ALL lactic acid comes from the
by-product of animal metabolism. As the wikepedia article says it can come from lactose or milk sugar as a product of its natural fermentation. Of course, any biological processes is not 100% sterile. Even the water we drink contains bacteria and we are "killing" them. This is comparable to the natural fermentation without using cultures.

There are products like mayonnaise or cheese or yoghurt that do not depend on starter culture to produce the product. A friend of mine even as early as 28 years ago is making cheese, yoghurt etc from soymilk. Nonetheless in the process, though not intended, bacteria can do take part in the natural process of soy processing.


To answer Ganeshprasad: Yes, just because it says suitable for vegetarians/vegans doesn't mean it doesn't contain animal by products. So be careful. Read the label or in doubt , ask the manufacturers; most big companies are honest about their products ingredients ánd they will tell you.

In Australia I buy the brand Nimbin for cheese because they use plant enzyme to process it. Of course I can't say it's 100% sterile (no microorganisms). That's the same with all vegetarian food we take.

Radhe Radhe