Veganism, which officially emerged in England in 1944, rejects any consumer good obtained through animal exploitation. This includes not only food but also cosmetics and cleaning items, as well as, of course, leather, silk and wool – and even visits to circuses, rodeos and zoos. Restriction is more complicated than it sounds. Everyone knows that meat, honey, milk and eggs come from animals. But there are industrialized products that take ingredients of animal origin and the consumer doesn’t even suspect. “The only safe way to be sure is to consult the labels and, if in doubt, the companies’ customer service”, says nutritionist George Guimarães, director of Nutriveg Consultoriaem Nutrição Vegetariana.
Veganism is different from vegetarianism: the latter only proposes dietary restrictions.
SECRET BLACKLIST
Even shampoo, fireworks and sugar can contain substances of animal origin. Vegetarians sued US McDonald’s in 2001 for failing to disclose that its potatoes were flavored with beef fat
SUPERMARKET BAGS
Several plastics contain animal fat to reduce their propensity to deform.
FABRIC SOFTENER
Some brands use an ammonia derivative, sebodi dimethyl ammonium (hydrogenated), which is extracted from sheep, horses and cows.
MIXES FOR PUDINS AND CAKES
Most have eggs and milk in their composition.
STRAWBERRY FLAVOR PRODUCTS
Most of them are red thanks to the carmine dye, produced with an insect called cochineal.
WINES AND BEERS
In its clarification process, fish bladder or milk or egg proteins can be used.
ENGLISH SAUCE
There are variations in ingredients, but several brands contain anchovy (a type of fish) or meat extract.
TOOTHPASTE
It has glycerin, which may be of animal origin.
FIREWORKS
Stearic acid, which can be of animal or vegetable origin, prevents metal oxidation and prolongs storage time.
SHAMPUS AND CONDITIONERS
They can receive more than 20 components of possible animal origin, such as glycerin, panthenol, amino acids and vitamin B.
TIRES
It also contains stearic acid, which helps it retain its shape under friction.
SUGAR
Although most brands no longer use the process, some are still refined in filters that receive ash from animal bones.
CHOCOLATE
It has skimmed or whole milk powder. Versions made with soy are released.
COOKIES
Just check the label on most brands to prove it: even the innocent cream cracker can contain traces of milk or whey.
GELATIN
It takes collagen, which usually comes from the hide of the ox. Marshmallow is also banned because it can contain gelatin. A viable option is agar-agar, made from seaweed.
GUMB Another product that can take collagen to achieve the right consistency.
Read too:
– What is freeganism?
– What foods are forbidden by religions?
– Is it possible to live well without eating meat?
SOURCES: The Huffington Post, TreeHugger, The Vegetarian ResourceGroup, and peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/animal-ingredient-guide.aspx websites; CONSULTANCY Jacira Santos, nutritionist at Associação Brasileira de Nutrição, and Julio Alberto Nitzke, professor at the Institute of Food Science and Technology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul