Don't panic, but chances are you have some animal products in your home that you weren't aware of.

You can find animal ingredients in the products you use to wash your clothes, wash your hair, and brush your teeth – you can even find them in your electronic devices! (1)

Curious about these everyday products with animal ingredients and how you can REALLY live cruelty-free?

Check out these 15 surprising everyday products with hidden animal ingredients in them, or head over to the animal ingredient list for a full breakdown.

1. Wine, beer and ciders.
2. Orange juice
3. Sugar
4. Bread and bagels
5. Gum
6. Razors
7. Condoms
8. Toothpaste
9. Shampoo and conditioner
10. Make-up
11. Medicine
12. Shopping bags
13. Electronics
14. Fabric softener
15. Mustard

Wine, Beer and Ciders: Fish Bladders

Brace yourself... Because many alcoholic drinks, such as wine, beer, and cider, are actually not vegan. Worse yet: they're not even vegetarian!

*GASP*

Is there nothing holy?!

Isinglass is a semi-transparent gelatin that is made from fish bladders (3). And it is quite often used as a clarifying agent for beers, wines and ciders.

By the way, it's not just horsetail; whey , lactose , casein and carmine are just a few examples of animal-derived ingredients that are commonly used during the production of beer and wine. (4)

Unfortunately, these ingredients aren't always listed on the label . That's because, legally, they don't have to be.

Especially when it comes to food and drink, we believe that 100% transparency is absolutely necessary. So you will find 100% of the ingredients in our meals on the nutritional label. And they are all vegan.

If you want to make sure you're making the right choice, look for drinks that contain the "vegan" symbol on the label or contact the manufacturer.

Orange Juice: Fish Oil

Hmm, there's definitely something fishy here... Turns out some of the DOs aren't vegan. Or even vegetarian!

For example, Tropicana's "Healthy Heart" orange juice contains added fish oil and lists sardine, anchovy and tilapia on the label. (5)

Fruit juices sometimes contain added ingredients for flavor, color, shelf life or health benefits (6), and there's no denying that omega-3 is good for your heart and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease .


But mixing orange juice with fish?

You'd be better off with a nutritionally complete drink, like this one .

It is high in omegas and is not only good for the heart: one 330 ml drink has 172 scientifically proven health benefits for physical and mental health .

Plus: it's 100% vegan, so it doesn't smell fishy!

Sugar: Bone Char

Sugar manufacturers sometimes use charcoal as a decolorizing filter to give sugar its snow-white color (7).

And yes, charred bone is exactly what it sounds like: charred animal bones.

By the way, brown sugar isn't necessarily better: it's often made by simply adding molasses to refined white sugar.

Bread & Bagels: L-cysteine

Pizza, bagels, pizza bagels, who doesn't love them?

But the dough used for your favorite late-night snacks can be treated with L-cysteine .

L-cysteine ​​is an amino acid that is used to prolong the shelf life of dough and make it more flexible to work with. [8] That doesn't sound so bad, right?

But here's the catch: L-cysteine ​​is primarily derived from bird feathers, pig hair, and, wait for it, human hair. (9)

Oh...

However, you won't find any hair or feathers in this pizza-flavored food bar .

Only 100% plant-based and nutritious ingredients like oats, soy flour, ground golden flaxseed and 26 essential vitamins and minerals. And, of course, that great pizza flavor.

Gum: Lanolin

*Warning* Are you chewing gum right now? Because you might want to take it out for this...

You've probably never wondered what skin care products and chewing gum have in common, but the answer is lanolin . (10)

Lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by sheep to keep their wool water-repellent and in good healthy condition.

Lanolin is especially popular in skin care products due to its moisturizing, skin-softening qualities.

And just as it softens the skin, it is also used to keep chewing gum soft and flexible.

Razors: Glycerin

Wait, razors aren't vegan? Unfortunately not.

You know that lubricating strip that many disposable razors have for a smoother shave? Well, that strip is often made with lanolin and/or glycerin . (11)

And like lanolin, which we discussed here, glycerin (also known as glycerol ) is an ingredient that is commonly derived from animal fats (tallow).

But glycerin can also be created synthetically or derived from plants, so if you want to make sure your razors are vegan-friendly, be sure to check with the manufacturer.

Bonus tip: Glycerin is also often used as a humectant, solvent and sweetener in food products. It is labeled as E422, so keep an eye out for that.

Condoms: Glycerin

Who would have thought...

Most condoms and lubricants on the market contain animal products, such as glycerin and casein . (12)

We talked about glycerin in the previous paragraph about razors, but casein is a form of protein that can be found in mammalian milk. In fact, human breast milk consists of 40% casein and 60% whey, while cow's milk protein is 80% casein and 20% whey [13].

But don't worry, the casein used for your condoms comes from cow's milk (we hope).

If you really want to avoid animal-derived ingredients, you may want to check your rubbers, although it may not be the first thing on your mind when you actually need them.

Toothpaste: Glycerin

Remember glycerin?

Glycerin is not only found in all kinds of condoms and razors, it is also a common ingredient in toothpaste. It is what gives it its paste-like quality.

However, most manufacturers don't bother to mention whether their glycerin is animal or plant-based. So look for toothpaste brands that contain the vegan logo if you want to be 100% sure!

Shampoo and Conditioner: Lecithin

According to the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), there are more than 20 animal-derived ingredients that could possibly be in your shampoo and conditioner. (14)

Unfortunately, companies do not always communicate whether these components are of animal or plant origin.

Lecithin , for example, is a fatty substance that can come from animal or plant sources and is commonly used in shampoos and conditioners.

The only forms of lecithin that you can be sure are vegan are soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin. (15)

So be on the lookout, and contact your favorite hair product company if you want to be sure.

Makeup: Lanolin, Glycerin, Beeswax, Carmine

Animal testing is not the only thing to consider when you want to use animal-friendly cosmetics.

Lanolin, glycerin, beeswax, and animal hair (in makeup brushes) are animal-derived ingredients commonly found in makeup. (15)

But this one really takes the cake: carmine . This colorant is often used in lipsticks, blushes, and nail polishes. It's made from female cochineal insects and is extracted by... uhmm... crushing them...

Luckily, you won't find any animal dyes in our foods ! Or any dyes at all, for that matter.

Medicine: Gelatin

The next time you take your medication, it might be a good idea to check the label.

Gelatin is an animal protein made by boiling the collagenous material from animal bones, skins, and hides. (15)

In the pharmaceutical industry, gelatin is mainly used to make hard and soft gelatin capsules.

Shopping Bags: Animal Fat

As if we needed another reason to avoid plastic bags... Did you know that your plastic shopping bags probably contain animal fat?

Most plastic bags contain " slip agents ," which help reduce friction on the material. These slip agents are made from animal fat, such as tallow . (16)

Don't worry, the plastic we use to pack and protect your meals is 100% vegan.

Electronics: gelatin

There are several ways animal-derived components can sneak into your electronic devices.

For example, gelatin is used in metal processing to improve the structure of the metal, such as cadmium in batteries.[17]

Gelatin is also an essential component for all types of camera films[18].

So not only in the movies of the cool 20th century analog cameras for occasional Christmas snapshots, but also in the human-sized film cameras used to film Hollywood blockbusters. And of course in the movies they are used to show the films in movie theaters.

So much for "no animals were harmed in the making of this film"...

Fortunately, more and more films are being shot and shown in digital format [19].

Fabric Softener: Tallow

While most of us associate fabric softeners with soft, cuddly feelings, the ingredient list may not be as comforting.

Have you heard of dehydrogenated tallow dimethylammonium chloride? It's found in almost all fabric softeners, and as it turns out, it's just a super complicated way of saying "ammonia mixed with tallow " - i.e. animal fat rendered from cows, sheep, and horses. (20)

Dijon mustard: Verjuice

Unlike regular yellow mustard, Dijon mustard is generally not vegan.

That's because Dijon mustard is made with verjuice , an acidic juice made from green grapes.

Verjuice gives mustard its unique strong, spicy flavor. But while verjuice itself is technically vegan, the straining process can contain animal byproducts such as casein , albumin , isinglass , and gelatin . [21]

We mustard-mit, didn't see it coming...

(Bonus) Bricks and Cement: Ox Blood

Ox blood was once one of the most popular additives for treating concrete. (22) It is rarely used these days, but many concrete structures that were once treated with ox blood still exist today.

List of Animal Ingredients

Albumin : Albumin is a protein found in the liver. [23]

Beeswax : Beeswax is made by melting honeycomb with boiling water, straining, and cooling it.[15]

Bone char : Bone char is animal bone ash. [15]

Carmine : Carmine is a red pigment extracted from crushed female cochineal insects.[15]

Casein : Casein is a protein that comes from milk. [24]

Fish oil : Fish oil is fat extracted from the tissue of fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, etc. It is rich in omega 3, which has many health benefits. [25]

Gelatin : protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments and/or bones in water. [15]

Glycerin/Glycerol : Glycerin, also called glycerol, is an odorless humectant (wetting agent) used in many pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Animal-derived glycerin is made from triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood. Glycerin can be of plant or animal origin. [11]

Isinglass - A form of gelatin prepared from the inner membranes of fish bladders. Used as a clarifying agent for beers, wines, and ciders. [3]

L-cysteine : L-cysteine ​​is an amino acid that is used to extend the shelf life of products such as bread and other baked goods. It is naturally present in bird feathers and cow horns, but most commercial products containing it use human hair as a source. [9]

Lactose : Lactose is the natural sugar present in milk. [26]

Lanolin : Lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by sheep to keep their wool water-repellent and in good, healthy condition. It is especially popular in skin care products due to its moisturizing qualities. [10]

Lecithin : Lecithin is a type of fat found in plant and animal tissues. [15]

Molasses - Molasses is a thick, syrup-like byproduct that comes from refining sugar cane or sugar beets into sugar. It has a dark, coffee-like color.[27]

Tallow : Tallow is rendered from animal fat, usually beef.[28]

Verjuice : Verjuice is an acidic juice made by pressing green grapes (or other acidic fruits). Verjuice itself is technically vegan, but the filtering process often contains animal byproducts such as casein, albumin, isinglass, and gelatin. [3][29]

Whey : Whey is a protein that comes from milk. It is what is left after milk is curdled and strained, as part of the cheese-making process. Whey protein is considered a complete protein as it contains all 9 essential amino acids. [30]

Sources

1. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). (Date unknown). Animal-Derived Ingredients List.
2. Halford, J. (2016). How difficult is it to avoid animal products in everyday life? [online] BBC News.
3. Merriam-webster.com. (2021). Merriam-Webster Dictionary . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
4. Healthline. (2020). Is Alcohol Vegan? A Complete Guide to Beer, Wine, and Spirits.
5. Tropicana. Tropicana Pure Premium Healthy Heart nutrition facts.
6. All plants. (Date unknown). Is Orange Juice Vegan-Friendly?
7. PETA. (2010). Are animal ingredients included in white sugar? | PETA . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
8. Yacoubou, J. (2013) The Vegetarian Resource Group Blog. Information about L-cysteine.
9. Vice.com. (2014). There's Human Hair in Your Bread . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
10. What Is Lanolin? [online] Verywell Health. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
11. LIVESTRONG.COM. (2010). What Is Glycerin Made From? | Livestrong.com . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
12. Naughton, J. (2017). Wait, what?! Most Condoms On The Market Aren't Vegan . [online] HuffPost. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
13. Lauren Milligan Newmark (2018). Milk Casein Proteins: Ancient, Diverse, and Essential - International Milk Genomics Consortium . [online] International Milk Genomics Consortium. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
14. “Is Lecithin Vegan? (I Am, Sunflower, Etc.) | VegFAQs.” VegFAQs, May 4, 2021.
15. PETA. (2012). Animal-Derived Ingredients Resource | Living | PETA . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
16. Concern Over Prion Diseases AnimalDerived Agents in Disposable Systems Growing Concern Over the Use of ADCs in Polymeric Materials. (n.d.). [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
17. Wang, X., Huang, K., Chen, Y., Liu, J., Chen, S., Cao, J., Mei, S., Zhou, Y. and Jing, T. (2018). Preparation of dumbbell manganese dioxide/gelatin composites and their application in the removal of lead and cadmium ions. Journal of Hazardous Materials , [online] 350, pp.46–54. [Accessed Nov 9, 2021]
18. Calixto, S., Ganzherli, N., Gulyaev, S. and Figueroa-Gerstenmaier, S. (2018). Gelatin as a Photosensitive Material. Molecules , [online] 23(8), p.2064. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
19. (2019). The use of digital vs celluloid film on Hollywood movies . [online] Stephen Follows. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
20. Patrick Di Justo (2008). What's Inside — Downy Coats Briefs With Horse Fat . [online] Wired. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
21. VeganFriendly.org.uk |. (2020). Is Mustard Vegan? | VeganFriendly.org.uk . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
22. Xu, Jian & Zhao, Tie & Zhang, Peng & Jiang, Rong. (2011). Influence of Ox Blood on Water Absorption of and Chloride Penetration into Concrete. Advanced Materials Research. 261-263. 496-500. 10.4028/.
23. Medlineplus.gov. (2017). Albumin Blood Test . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
24. Nordqvist, J. (2017). What are the benefits and risks of whey protein? [online] Medicalnewstoday.com. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
25. García-Moreno, PJ and Pérez-Gálvez, R. (2017). Pressing in the Food Industry: Example of Fish Discards Processing. Reference Module in Food Science . [on-line]. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
26. What Is Lactose Intolerance? [online] WebMD. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
27. Sugar.org. (2020). What Is Molasses: All You Need to Know - The Sugar Association . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
28. Vrg.org. (2015). Guide to Food Ingredients | Vegetarian Resource Group . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
29. VeganFriendly.org.uk |. (2020). Is Mustard Vegan? | VeganFriendly.org.uk . [online] [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].
30. Hemant Gangurde, Pooja S Patil, Mayur Ashok Chordiya and Nayana S Baste (2011). Whey protein . [online] ResearchGate. [Accessed 9 Nov. 2021].