Hello there! As a culinary expert with a passion for diverse diets, I'm always eager to help clarify dietary concerns and ingredients. Let's dive into the question at hand: Is Bird's Eye custard powder vegan?

First and foremost, it's important to understand what makes a food product vegan. Veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to avoid the use and consumption of animal products and by-products. This means that vegans abstain from eating meat, dairy, eggs, and even honey, among other things. When it comes to food additives and ingredients, vegans also look for products that have not been tested on animals and do not contain any animal-derived substances.

Now, let's examine Bird's Eye custard powder. According to the information you've provided, Bird's custard powder does not contain egg or milk powder, which are two common non-vegan ingredients found in many custard powders. Instead, it is made up of starch, salt, colouring (specifically Annatto), and flavouring.

Starch is a common thickening agent derived from a variety of plant sources, including potatoes, corn, wheat, and rice. It is vegan as long as it is not processed with bone char, which is a substance derived from animal bones used in the refining of some starches. However, most commercial starches, including those used in custard powders, are processed using plant-based methods.

Salt is a mineral and is inherently vegan, as it is not derived from any animal source.

Colouring, in this case, Annatto, is derived from the seeds of the achiote tree and is used to provide a yellow or orange color to foods. It is vegan and is often used as a natural alternative to synthetic food dyes.

Flavouring can be a bit more complex. Flavours can be derived from a wide range of sources, including both plant and animal origins. However, without specific information on the type of flavouring used in Bird's custard powder, it's hard to make a definitive statement. That said, many custard flavours are synthetically created in a lab and do not contain any animal products.

One additional point to consider is the use of Soya milk and unrefined raw sugar in making custard with Bird's custard powder, as mentioned in your information. Both of these ingredients are vegan-friendly. Soya milk is a plant-based milk alternative made from soybeans, and unrefined raw sugar, also known as brown sugar or demerara sugar, is produced without animal-derived additives or bone char processing.

In conclusion, based on the ingredients listed and the absence of any animal-derived components, it seems that Bird's Eye custard powder could be considered vegan. However, it's always a good idea for individuals with strict dietary restrictions to reach out to the manufacturer directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information, especially considering the potential for changes in formulations or sourcing of ingredients.

Now, let's transition to the Chinese translation of the response.

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I bet you didn't -C the only vegan I know didn't either! Bird's custard powder does not and has never contained egg, or milk powder! All it contains is starch, salt, colouring (Annatto) and flavouring. ... Bird's custard powder, made following the instructions using Soya milk and unrefined raw sugar.Feb 22, 2012read more >>