MAPLE SYRUP

Yes, rumours abound about maple syrup containing pork fat. The US vegan society has checked all known sources and found that they are all suitable for vegans.

CHEWING GUM

Some chewing gums contain glycerine. Wrigleys gum contains a vegetarian source of glycerine.

POSTAGE STAMPS

These do not contain an animal or fish glue.

ENVELOPES

Apparently most envelopes have a synthetic glue on them, not an animal or fish based glue.  

ADRENALINE

From the adrenals of hogs, cattle and sheep. In medicines. Alternatives: synthetics

ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL

See Vitamin A.

ALLANTOIN A

uric acid from cows, most mammals. Also in many plants (especially comfrey). In cosmetics, Especially creams & lotions, and used in the treatment of wounds and skin ulcers.

AMBERGRIS

From sperm whale intestines. Used as a fixative in perfumes and as a flavoring in foods and beverages. (Federal regulation currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.) Alternatives: synthetic and vegetable fixatives.

AMINO ACIDS

Animal or plant sources. In cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, shampoos, etc.

AMYLASE

An enzyme prepared from the pancreas of hogs. In cosmetics and medicines

ANIMAL OILS AND FATS

In foods, cosmetics, etc. Highly allergenic. Plan derivatives are superior. Alternatives: Olive oil, wheat germ oil, coconut oil, almond oil, safflower oil, etc.

ARACHIDONIC ACID A

liquid unsaturated fatty acid occurring in the liver, brain, glands, and fat of animals. Generally isolated from the liver. In skin creams and lotions to soothe eczema and rashes.

ASPARTIC ACID DL and L forms

Aminosuccinate Acid. Can be animal or plant (e.g. Molasses) source. In Creams and ointments. Sometimes synthesized for commercial purposes.

BEE PRODUCTS

For bees. Bees are selectively bred. Culls are killed. A cheap sugar is substituted for their stolen honey and millions die as a result. Their legs are often torn off by pollen-collecting trap doors.

BEE POLLEN

Collected from the legs of bees. Causes allergic reactions in some people. In supplements, shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants. Too concentrated for human use.

BEESWAX

Obtained from the honeycomb of bees. Very cheap and traditional but harmful to the skin. Some companies won't use beeswax as it doesn't permit the skin to breathe. In lipsticks and many other cosmetics, especially face creams, lotions, mascaras, eye creams and shadows, makeup bases, nail whiteners, etc. Used in making candles, crayons and polishes. Alternatives: Paraffin; vegetable oils and fats; ceresin, made from the mineral ozokerite (replaces beeswax in candle making); carnauba wax from the Brazilian palm tree (used in many cosmetics and in the manufacture of rubber, phonograph records, in waterproofing and writing inks); Japan was, from the fruit of a tree grown in Japan and China; synthetic beeswax.

BENZOIC ACID

In almost all vertebrates and in berries. In mouthwashes, deodorants, creams, aftershave lotions, perfumes, foods, beverages. Alternatives: gum benzoin (tincture) from the aromatic balsamic resin from trees grown in china, Sumatra, Thailand and Cambodia.

BIOTIN

Vitamin H. Vitamin B Factor. In every living cell and in larger amounts in milk and yeast. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, creams. Alternatives: plant sources.

BLOOD

This should be obvious but if it isn't.... From any slaughtered animal. Used in cheese making, foam rubber, intravenous feedings, medicines and as adhesive in plywood. Possibly in foods as lecithin (see). Alternatives: synthetics, plant sources.

BOAR BRISTLES

Hair from wild or captive hogs. In "natural" toothbrushes, hairbrushes, bath brushes, cosmetic brushes and shaving brushes. Alternatives: vegetable fibers, nylon.

BONE ASH

Bone earth. The ash of burned bones, used as a fertilizer, in making ceramics and in cleaning and polishing compounds.

BONEBLACK

Bone charcoal. A black pigment containing about 10% charcoal made by roasting bones in an airtight container. Used in aquarium filters and in refining cane sugar. In eye shadows, polishes.

BONE MEAL

Animal bones. In some fertilizers, some vitamins and supplements as a source of calcium, toothpastes. Alternatives: plant mulch, vegetable compost, dolomite, clay, vegetarian vitamins.

CAPRYLIC ACID

Can come from cow or goat milk. Also from palm and coconut oil, other plant oils. In perfumes, soaps.

CARMINE

Cochineal. Carminic Acid. Red pigment from the crushed female cochineal insect. Reportedly 70,000 beetles may be killed to produce one pound of this red dye. Used in cosmetics, shampoos, red apple sauce and other foods. May cause allergic reactions. Alternatives: beet juice, no known toxicity (used in powders, roughes, shampoos); alkanet root, from the root of an herblike tree, no known toxicity (used as a red dye for inks, wines, lip balms, etc., and can be combined to make a copper or blue coloring).

CAROTENE

Provitamin A. Beta Carotene. Found in many animal tissues and in all plants. Used as a coloring in cosmetics and in the manufacture of Vitamin A.

CASEIN

Caseinogen. Milk protein. In "non-dairy" creamers, many cosmetics , hair preparations, beauty masks. Alternatives: soy protein, vegetable milks.

CASTOREUM

Castor. From muskrat and beaver genitals. Used in perfumes and incense. Alternatives: synthetics, plant sources. Castor oil comes from the castor bean and is used in many cosmetics.

CATGUT

Tough cord or thread made from the intestines of sheep, horses, etc. Used for surgical sutures and for stringing tennis rackets and musical instruments, etc. Alternatives: nylon & other man-made fibers.

CETYL ALCOHOL

Cetyl Lactate. Cetyl Myristate. Cetyl Palmitate. Ceteth-1, 02, etc. Wax found in spermaceti (see) from sperm whales or dolphins. Used in lipsticks, mascaras, nail polish removers, hand lotions, cream roughs and many other cosmetics, shampoos, hair lacquers and other hair products, deodorants, antiperspirants (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.) Alternatives: vegetable cetyl alcohol (e.g., coconut) synthetic spermaceti.

CHOLESTERIN

Cholesterol. A steroid alcohol, especially in all animal fats and oils, nerve tissue, egg yolk and blood. Can be derived from lanolin (see). In cosmetics, eye creams, shampoos, etc. Alternatives: plant sources, synthetics.

CIVET

Obtained from the civet, a small mammal, by stimulating it, usually through torture. Civets are kept captive in cages in horrible conditions. Used in perfumes as a fixative.

COLLAGEN

A fibrous protein in vertebrates. Usually derived from animal tissue. In cosmetics. Can't affect the skin's own collagen. Alternatives: soy protein, almond oil, amla oil (from Indian tree's fruit).

CORTISONE

Cortico Steroid. Hormone from cattle liver. Widely used in medicine. Alternatives: synthetics.

CYSTEINE, L-Form. CYSTINE

Two amino acids which can come from animals. Used in hair products and creams, in some bakery products and wound healing formulations. Alternatives: Plant sources.

DOWN

Goose or duck insulating feathers. Often from slaughtered or cruelly exploited geese. Used in pillows and as an insulator in quilts, parkas, sleeping bags. Bad in cold, wet weather as it packs down. Alternatives: many polyester and man-made substitutes, superior in many ways; kapok (silky fibers from the seeds of some tropical trees); milkweed seed pod fibers.

DUODENUM SUBSTANCES

From the digestive tracts of cattle and swine. In some vitamins and medicines. Alternatives: vegetarian vitamins, synthetics.

EGG ALBUMIN

Albumen. In eggs, milk, muscles, blood and in many vegetable tissues and fluids. In cosmetics, albumin is usually derived from egg whites. May cause allergic reactions. In cakes, cookies, candies, other foods. Egg whites sometimes used in "clearing" wines.

EGG PROTEIN

In shampoos, skin preparations, etc. Alternatives: plant proteins.

ELASTIN

Found in the neck ligaments and aorta of cattle (bovine). Similar to collagen Can't affect the skin's own elasticity. Alternatives: synthetics, proteins from plant tissues.

ESTROGEN

Estrone. Estradiol. From cow ovaries and pregnant mares' urine. Considered a drug. Can have harmful systemic effects if used by children. Used for reproductive problems and in birth control pills. In creams and lotions. Has no effect in the creams as a "nourishing" factor and simple vegetable source creams are considered better. Alternatives: Oral contraceptives marketed today are usually based on synthetic steroids. Phytoestrogens (from plants) are being researched currently.

FATTY ACIDS

Can be one or any mixture of liquid and solid acids, caprylic, myristic , oleic, palmitic, stearic (see all), behenic. Used in bubble baths, lipsticks, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, shampoos, foods. Alternatives: vegetable-derived acids, soya lecithin, safflower oil, bitter almond oil, sunflower oil, etc.

FEATHERS

Generally from exploited and/or slaughtered birds. Can be used as ornaments in whole or can be ground up in shampoos, etc. See Down. See Keratin.

FISH LIVER OIL

Cod-Liver Oil. Fish livers. Used in Lubricating creams and lotions, vitamins and supplements. In milk fortified with Vitamin D. Alternatives: vegetable oils, yeast extract ergosterol, sunshine.

FISH OIL

See Marine Oil. Fish oil can be from marine mammals. Used in skin ointments, soap making, etc. (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from the marine mammals.)

FISH SCALES

Used in shimmery makeups (eye, etc.). Garbage cans full of scales are sold to manufacturers. Alternatives: mica, rayon.

FLETAN OIL

Rare ingredient derived from fish liver which includes lecithin, Vitamin A and Vitamin D (see all).

FUR

Hopefully speaks for itself.

GELATIN

Gel. Protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments or bones with water, From cattle and hogs. Used in shampoos, face masks, other cosmetics. Used as a thickener for fruit gelatins and puddings ("Jello"). In candies, marshmallows, cakes, ice cream, yogurts. On photographic film as a coating and in vitamins as capsules. Sometimes used to assist in "clearing" wines. Alternatives: algae and seaweed (carrageen [Irish moss], algin, agar-agar, kelp), used in jellies, plastics, medicines; pectin from fruit; dextrins; locust bean gum cotton gum. Marshmallows were originally made from the root of the marshmallow plant.

GLUTAMIC ACID

An amino acid found widely in plant and animal tissue. Used as food seasoning and as an antioxidant in cosmetics.

GLYCERIDES

Monoglycerides. Diglycerides. From animal fat. In margarines, cake mixes, confectioneries, foods, cosmetics, etc. See Glycerin. Alternatives: vegetable monoglycerides and diglycerides, synthetics.

GLYCERIN

Glycerol. Polyglycerol. Polytethylene Glycol (PEG). A by-product of soap manufacture (normally used animal fat). In cosmetics, foods, mouthwashes, toothpastes, soaps, ointments, medicines, lubricants, transmission and brake fluids, plastics. Alternatives: Vegetable or vegetable glycerin, a by-product of vegetable oil soap; derivatives of seaweed, petroleum.

GUANINE

Pearl essence. Obtained from scales of fish. Constituent of ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid and is found in all animal and plant tissues. In shampoos, nail polish, other cosmetics. Alternatives: leguminous plants, synthetics.

HIDE GLUE

Same as gelatin but of a cruder, impure form. Alternatives: Dextrins and synthetic petrochemical-based adhesives.

HONEY

Food for bees, made by bees. Still a sugar, too concentrated for humans. Contains toxins harmful to humans. Can cause allergic reactions. In cosmetics, foods. Alternatives: Maple syrup, Date sugar, syrups made from grains.

HORSEHAIR AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR

In some blankets mattresses, brushes, furniture, etc. Alternatives: vegetable and man-made fibers.

HYDROLYZED ANIMAL PROTEIN

In cosmetics, especially shampoos and hair treatments. Alternatives: soy protein, other vegetable proteins, amla oil (from an Indian tree's fruit).

INSULIN

From the pancreas of hogs and oxen. Used by millions of diabetics daily. Alternatives: synthetics, human insulin grown in a lab, diet when possible.

ISINGLASS

A form of gelatin prepared from the internal membranes of fish bladders. In foods and sometimes used in "clearing" wines. Alternatives: bentonite clay, "Japanese isinglass"; see Alternatives for Gelatin. Isinglass is also a mineral, mica, used in cosmetics.

KERATIN

From the ground-up horns, hoofs, feathers, quills and hair of various creatures. In hair rinses, shampoos, permanent wave solutions. Alternatives: almond oil, soy protein, amla oil, (from an Indian tree's fruit), rosemary, nettle. Rosemary and nettle give body and stand strength to hair.

LACTIC ACID

L-Lactic Acid (a by-product of the slaughterhouse). Produced by the fermentation of lactose when milk sours or from sucrose and some other carbohydrates by the action of certain microorganism. Can be found in blood and muscle tissue. In skin fresheners, adhesives, plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, sour milk, beer, sauerkraut, pickles and other food products made by bacterial fermentation. Used in foods and beverages as an acidulant, flavoring and preservative.

LACTOSE

Milk sugar. Milk of mammals. In eye lotions, foods, tablets, cosmetics, baked goods, medicines, Alternatives: plant milk sugars.

LANOLIN

Lanolin Acid. Lanolin Alcohols (sterol, Triterpene Alcohol, Aliphatic Alcohol). Wool Fat. Laneth-5, -10, etc. Lanogene. Lanosterol. Isopropyl Lanolate. A product of the oil glands of sheep, extracted from their wool. In many skin care products and cosmetics and in medicines. Some cosmetic companies won't use it because it commonly causes allergic contact skin rashes, and also they consider it to be a cheap filler. Vegetable sources are thought to be better moisturizers- lanolin is too greasy, waterproof and sealing. Skin can't breathe. See Wool for cruelty to sheep.

LARD

Fat from hog abdomens. In shaving creams , soaps, cosmetics, baked goods and other foods. Hard to digest. Alternatives: vegetable fats or oils.

LEATHER

Suede. Calfskin. Sheepskin. Alligator. Kid. Euphemism for animal skin. The use of and sale of it subsidizes the meat industry. Used to make wallets, handbags, belts, furniture, and car upholstery, shoes, coats, etc. Alternatives: natural materials such as cotton, canvas, etc.; man-made materials such as nylon, vinyl.

LECITHIN

Choline Bitartrate. In all living organism. Frequently obtained for commercial purposes from eggs and soybeans (when stated SOY lecithin). Also from nerve tissue , blood, milk, corn. Choline bitartrate,the basic constituent of lecithin, is in many animal and plant tissues or prepared synthetically. Lecithin can be in eye creams, lipsticks, liquid powders, hand creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, other cosmetics, candies and other foods, medicines.

LINOLEIC ACID

An essential fatty acid (see). In cosmetics vitamins.

LIPASE

Enzyme from the stomachs and tongue glands of calves, kids and lambs. Probably in some vitamins. Alternatives: vegetable enzymes.

LIPOIDS/LIPIDS

Fat and fatlike substances which occur in animals and plants.

LUNA SPONGE

Sea Sponge., A plantlike animal that lives in the sea and is becoming scarce. Alternatives: man-made sponges.

MARINE OIL

Fish Oil. From fish or marine mammals (including porpoises). Used in soap making, candles, lubricants, paints and as a shortening (especially in some margarines). (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.)

METHIONINE

An essential amino acid found in various proteins. Used as a texturizer in creams.

MILK PROTEIN

Hydrolyzed Milk Protein. From milk (cows). In cosmetics, shampoos, moisturizers, conditioners, etc. Alteratives: soy protein, other plant proteins.

MINK OIL

From minks. In cosmetics, creams, etc. Alternatives: vegetable oils and emollients (e.g., avocado, almond oil, jojoba, etc.)

MUSK

Obtained from the genitals of the Northern Asian small hornless deer. In perfumes and food flavorings. Can cause allergic reactions. Alternatives: labdanum (oil which comes from various rockrose shrubs), no known toxicity. Other plants have a musky scent also.

MYRISTIC ACID

Isopropyl myristate. Myristyl. Etc. In most animal and vegetable fats. In Butter acids. Used in shampoos, creams, cosmetics, food flavorings. Alternatives: nut butters, oil of lovage, coconut oil, extract from seed kernels of nutmeg, etc.

"NATURAL SOURCE."

Can mean animal, vegetable or mineral source. Most often in the health food industry, it means an animal source, especially in cosmetics (e.g., animal elastin [see], animal glands, fat, protein, oil, etc.) . Be wary of this term. Find out exact source.

NUCLEIC ACID

In the nucleus of all living cells. Used in cosmetics,shampoos, conditioners, vitamins, supplements, etc. Alternatives: plant sources.

OCTYL DODECANOL

Mixture of solid waxy alcohols. Primarily from stearyl alcohol (see).

OLEIC ACID

Oleth-2, -3, -20, etc. Oleyl Alcohol. Oleamine. Oleyl Betaine. Obtained from various animal and vegetable fats and oils. Is usually obtained commercially from inedible tallow (see). In foods, soft soaps, bar soaps, permanent wave solutions, shampoos, creams, nail polish, lips ticks, liquid makeups, many other skin preparations. Alternatives: coconut oil; see alternatives for Animal Oils and Fats.

OX BILE

Oxgall. From castrated bovines. In creams.

PALMITIC ACID

Palmitate. Fatty Acids. From fats, oils (see Fatty Acids) mixed with stearic acid (see). Occurs in many animal fats and plant oils. In shampoos, shaving soaps, creams. Alternatives: palm oil and other vegetable sources.

PANTHENOL

Depanthenol. Vitamin B Complex Factor. Provitamin B5. Can come from animal or plant sources or synthetics. In shampoos, foods, supplements, emollients, etc.

PEPSIN

Obtained from the stomachs or hogs. A clotting agent. In some cheeses and vitamins. Same uses and alternatives as rennet.

PLACENTA

Placenta Polypeptides Protein. Afterbirth. Contains waste matter eliminated by the fetus. Derived from the uterus of slaughtered animals. Animal placenta is widely used in skin creams, shampoos, masks, etc. Doesn't remove wrinkles. Alternatives: kelp, vegetable oils.

POLYPEPTIDES

Obtained from slaughterhouse wastes. See RNA/DNA. Alternatives: plant proteins and enzymes.

PROPOLIS

A resinous substance collected from various plants by bees and used in the construction of their hives. In toothpastes, shampoos, deodorants, supplements, etc.

POLYSORBATES

Derivatives of fatty acids (see). In cosmetics, foods.

PRISTANE

Obtained from the liver oil of sharks and from whale ambergris (see). See Squalene. Used as a lubricant and anticorrosive agent. In cosmetics. (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.) Alternatives: plant oils, synthetics.

PROGESTERONE

A steroid hormone (see) used in face creams. Can have adverse systemic effects. Alternatives: synthetics.

RENNET

Rennin. From calves' stomachs. Used in cheesemaking, rennet custard (junket) and in many coagulated dairy products. Alternatives: microbial coagulating agents, bacteria culture, lemon juice.

RNA/DNA

Ribonucleic Acid. Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Polypeptides. Obtained from slaughterhouse wastes. In all living cells. Used in many protein shampoos and cosmetics. Alternatives: plant cells.

ROYAL JELLY

Secretion of the throat glands of the honeybee workers that is fed to the larvae in a colony and to all queens larvae. No proven value in cosmetic preparations. Alternatives: aloe vera, comfrey, other plant derivatives.

SABLE BRUSHES

From the fur of sables (weasel-like mammals). Used to make cosmetic brushes. Alternatives: synthetic furs and fibers.

SILK

Shiny fiber made by silkworms to form their cocoons. Boiled or roasted in their cocoons to get the silk. Used in cloth and silk screening. Alternatives: milkweed seed pod fibers, nylon, silk-cotton tree and ceiba tree filaments (kapok), rayon, man-made silks. Other fine cloth can be and is used for silk screening. Taffeta can be made from silk or nylon.

SILK POWDER

Obtained from the secretion of the silkworm. Used as a coloring agent in face powders, soaps, etc. Causes severe allergic reactions; systemic reactions if inhaled or ingested.

SNAILS:

Crushed. In some cosmetics.

SPERMACETI

Cetyl Palmitate. Sperm Oil. Waxy oil derived from the sperm whale's head or from dolphins. In skin creams, ointments, shampoos, candles, many margarines. Used in the leather industry. May become rancid and cause irritations (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.) Alternatives: Synthetic spermaceti, jojobas oil and other vegetable emollients.

SQUALANE

Obtained from shark liver oil. Lubricant and perfume fixative. Alternatives: synthetics.

SQUALENE

From shark liver oil or vegetable oil. An emollient from a "natural source" (see). A precursor of cholesterol in biosynthesis. In cosmetics, moisturizers, hair dyes. Alternatives: vegetable emollients (olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, etc.).

STEARIC ACID

Tallow (see). Stearamide. Stearate. Quaternium 27. Stearin. Fat from cows, sheep, etc. (could be dogs and cats from shelters). Most often refers to a fatty substance taken from the stomachs of pigs. Can be harsh, irritating. Used in cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, candles, hairsprays, conditioners, deodorants, creams. Alternatives: can be found in many vegetable fats, e.g., coconut.

STEARYL ALCOHOL

Stenol. A mixture of solid alcohols; can be prepared from sperm whale oil. In medicines, creams, rinses, shampoos, etc. (Federal regulations currently prohibit the use of ingredients derived from marine mammals.) Alternatives: plant tissues, synthetics.

STEROID

Sterol. From various animal glands or from plant tissues. Steroids include sterols. Sterols are alcohols from animals or plants (e.g., cholesterol). Used in hormone preparations. In creams, lotions, hair conditioners, fragrances, etc. Alternatives: plant tissues, synthetics.

TALLOW

Tallowate. Tallow Fatty Alcohol. Stearic Acid (see). Rendered beef or sheep fat. May cause eczema and blackheads. In wax paper, crayons, margarines, paints, rubber, lubricants, candles, soaps, shampoos, lipsticks, shaving creams, other cosmetics. Alternatives: vegetable tallow (animal tallow usually used commercially), Japan tallow, paraffin, ceresin (see alternatives for Beeswax).

TURTLE OIL

Sea Turtle Oil. From the muscles and genitals of giant sea turtles. In soaps, skin creams, nail creams, other cosmetics. Alternatives: Vegetable emollients (see Alternatives for Animal Oils and Fats).

UREA

Carbamide. Imidazolidinyl Urea. Uric Acid. Found in urine and other body fluids. Also produced synthetically. In deodorants, ammoniated dentifrices, mouthwashes, hair colorings, hand creams, lotions, shampoos, etc. Used to "brown" baked goods such as pretzels.

VITAMIN

A Retinol. Acetate and Palmitate (see Palmitic Acid). An aliphatic alcohol. Can come from fish-liver oil (e.g., shark-liver oil), egg yolks, butter, lemongrass, wheat germ oil, carotene in carrots, etc., synthetics. In cosmetics, creams, perfumes, hair dyes, vitamins, supplements.

VITAMIN B12

Usually from an animal source. Some vegetarian B12 fortified yeasts and analogs available. Some vegetarian B12 vitamins are in a stomach base. Plant algae discovered containing B12, now in supplement form (spirulina). Also, B12 is produced in a healthy body.

VITAMIN D

Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2, Ergosterol, provitamin D2, Calciferool). Vitamin D3. Vitamin D can come from fish-liver oil, eggs, milk, butter. Vitamin D2 is made by irradiating ergosterol, a provitamin from plants or yeast. Vitamin D3 is from fish-liver oil. In creams, lotions, other cosmetics, vitamins. Alternatives: sunshine, plant sources, synthetics.

OTHER VITAMINS

(Choline, Biotin [see], Inositol, Riboflavin, etc.). Many other vitamins can come from animal sources. Alternatives: vegetarian vitamins, plant and mineral sources.

WHEY

From milk. Usually in cakes, cookies, candies, cheese. Alternatives: soybean whey.

WOOL