OK, I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian when it comes right down to it (I eat fish a few times a year), but I'd be downright foolish if I ignored the thick line leading from what I consume to the animal products industry and its impacts on the environment, animal rights, and people. The role that animal products will have in your life is part of the choices you make everyday, from what you shave with in the morning to what you put in your cereal. You can eliminate animal products entirely from your diet and still find yourself surrounded by leather upholstery, a down pillow, or even insect pheromones (utilized on farms, even organic ones). And those are just the obvious ones. Whether you consciously avoid animal products or accept them as a part of living in this-here crazy world, there are a few on this list that may surprise you.
Red dye derived from bugs - Yes, it's true. The cochineal insect lives on cacti found in South America and Mexico and produces a bright-red pigment called carminic acid (produces, that is, when you crush them). It's found in red foods, generally things that should be red anyway but that could use a little help (hence the "ruby" in 'Ruby Red Grapefruit'). The FDA is currently tinkering with the possibility of mandating labeling procedures; the cochineal ingredient can be seen now as "carmine," "carminic acid," or simply "natural colors." Although dye made from bugs may gross you out, it's a relatively safe substance to be consuming if you're not allergic to it, especially compared to other choices like the probably-carcinogenic Red #40. And definitely check out this guy to see the process in action.
Beer and wine -- Many beers and wines are not, if you want to get technical, vegetarian. They contain isinglass, derived from the swim bladders of fish like sturgeon and cod. Like cochineal, isinglass is used to improve the appearance of the food and make it more appealing, in this case, to act as a clarifier. As my vegan friend Lauren tells me, look for smaller wineries or breweries to increase the likelihood of getting a bladder-free libation, or check out a list of vegan and vegetarian beers before you shop.
Condoms - Though usually vegetarian, condoms are not necessarily vegan. They often contain milk proteins used in the latex manufacturing process. Australian company Glyde utilizes an extract from thistles to achieve a similar effect in their condoms, available at many vegan stores online.
Other strange places to find animal products include: soy cheese, film, and vitamin coatings. With all this in mind, choosing what's right for you can be overwhelming, but keep in mind that not doing everything doesn't mean not doing something.
OK, I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian when it comes right down to it (I eat fish a few times a year), but I'd be downright foolish if I ignored the thick line leading from what I consume to the animal products industry and its impacts on the environment, animal rights, and people. The role that animal products will have in your life is part of the choices you make everyday, from what you shave with in the morning to what you put in your cereal. You can eliminate animal products entirely from your diet and still find yourself surrounded by leather upholstery, a down pillow, or even insect pheromones (utilized on farms, even organic ones). And those are just the obvious ones. Whether you consciously avoid animal products or accept them as a part of living in this-here crazy world, there are a few on this list that may surprise you.
Other strange places to find animal products include: soy cheese, film, and vitamin coatings. With all this in mind, choosing what's right for you can be overwhelming, but keep in mind that not doing everything doesn't mean not doing something.