Are you looking for products and items that are often surprisingly not vegan? Then you've come to the right place! Those who want to make the switch from vegetarian or from meat eater to vegan you first get to know quite a few non-vegan things. Above all foods such as cow's milk, eggs or honey - but also goods such as cosmetics or leather armchairs, to name just a few. For most of these products, the animal origin is relatively obvious. But over time, as a vegan, you will also come across many things that you would never have thought were not vegan.
In this article, I would like to introduce you to 25 of these things! Firstly, so that you've heard of them before - and secondly, to make the products offered by the manufacturers more animal-friendly by switching to alternative products. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Condoms
- Analog photos
- Car tires
- Brush
- Banknotes
- Toothpaste
- Crayons
- Cigarettes
- Shampoos
- Paintball balls
- Adhesive
- Cleaning products
- Medication
- Shoes
- Sports balls
- Silk
- Tampons
- Screens
- Tattoos
- Plastic bags
- Candles
- Dryer sheets
- Perfume
- Fireworks
- Nail polish
Notice: To surprisingly non-vegan food I have written a separate article for you. That's why you won't find Parmesan cheese, potato chips, chewing gum and wine in this list, for example.
25 examples - Which things and objects are (often) not vegan?
After the first few weeks of switching to a vegan lifestyle I thought that I now knew all vegan and non-vegan products. But the longer you live vegan, the more things you get to know that contain animal ingredients, even though you would never have guessed it. As promised, I'll introduce you to them below.
1. condoms
Latex is obtained from the milky sap of the rubber tree... so after a quick glance at the packaging, condoms should actually be vegan. But unfortunately, most condoms are not, as the latex used in their manufacture Milk protein casein is used for processing the raw rubber.
Condoms are considered Medical device - which is why it is also possible that Animal testing be carried out for this purpose. Logically, they are not vegan in this case either.
Good to know: Lubricants are not always vegan either, as they often contain animal glycerine, which is used in cosmetic products now and then as a lubricant and moisturizer, for example.
2. analog photos
Don't worry: digital photos are of course vegan. However, analog photos and photo paper in general are usually not vegan, as they use animal products. Gelatine, which comes mainly from pig skin and bones, is used. It serves as an adhesive that puts the photos on paper.
3. car tires
In fact, car tires (and some bicycle tires) are also among the surprisingly non-vegan items, as they often contain the ingredient Stearic acid contain. This is produced primarily from pork fat and beef tallow. Only by the renunciation of the leather steering wheel and the leather seats, a car is not (unfortunately) therefore yet automatically vegan.
4. brush
Many cosmetic natural hair brushes are made with the help of the Hair from minks, foxes or squirrels manufactured. Fortunately, the labeling is always relatively clear, so you can choose animal-free cosmetic brushes with synthetic hair.
5. banknotes
Some banknotes are also among the everyday objects that may not be vegan after all. The first time the British five pound note This caused a stir because it was said to consist partly of animal tallow. For example, the New Zealand dollar and the Australian banknotes have been produced with animal fat. Although banknotes are generally vegan, this does not apply to every banknote.
6. toothpaste
When talking about non-vegan things, toothpaste must also be mentioned. Unfortunately, its ingredients often include Lactoferrina protein found in cow's milk and breast milk. Beeswax and pollen or animal bone meal and animal fats such as glycerin also join the list of animal-unfriendly ingredients.
Tip: Animal ingredients are not always directly recognizable in toothpaste. So ask the manufacturer if you're not sure - and consciously choose alternatives that carry the vegan seal and are labeled as cruelty-free. Alternatively, it is also a good idea to Toothpaste easy to make yourself.
7. crayons
Unfortunately, many crayons are also partly made of Stearic acid. It is the ingredient from beef fat that gives them their unmistakable smell. Fortunately, however, more and more pens are being produced without the animal substance, making them suitable for vegans.
8. cigarettes
While there are more and more vegan cigarette brandsbut many manufacturers use the animal protein in their cigarette filters Hemoglobinwhich is made from pig's blood and is supposed to filter some harmful substances out of tobacco smoke. For this reason, many cigarettes are surprisingly non-vegan.
Tip: How you Quit smoking more easily you can find out in the linked article!
9. shampoos
Animal additives can also be hidden in shampoos. For example, the already mentioned Gelatine from animal body parts. The fatty natural substance Cholesterol, which is derived from animal fats, is now and then contained in shampoos.
Fortunately, there are also Plant-based alternativessuch as sterols, which are found in soy plants, among other things. Either way, shampoos are definitely one of the things that are often not vegan, even though you would expect them to be.
10. paintball balls
The tactical team sport with the paint balls is also "not entirely vegan". This is because the shell that holds the color in the balls until they bounce is once again the aforementioned animal Gelatine. In addition, the color itself is also often Fish oil contains. It is produced from sardines, mackerel and herring, for example.
11. glue
Many glues are produced with the help of animal ingredients. Fish glue and Glutin glue are the result of boiling off animal skin, bones and bones. Casein glue consists of animal casein, a protein component in cow's milk. Accordingly, they are often included in the list of non-vegan products.
Notice: Also Label adhesive is often not vegan. You can find out more in the linked article.
12. cleaning agent
Countless cleaning agents contain surfactants because they have a dirt-dissolving effect. But Surfactants from animal fats are of course not vegan, which is why they must be mentioned here in the list of things that surprisingly contain animal ingredients. Cleaning products with surfactants from vegetable fat sources, on the other hand, are generally vegan. It is therefore also important to take a closer look at cleaning products and ask if necessary.
13. medicines
Many medicines are tested on animals before they are available in pharmacies. However, even if some tablets are produced without animal testing, this does not automatically mean that they are also free from any Cruelty to animals are. For example, many medications come with Beeswax is used to increase consistency. Also Heparins, Multiple sugars from the intestinal mucosa of pigsare used to inhibit blood clotting. Gelatine is also frequently used, as well as Lactose from cow's milk is used as a filler.
As a vegan, it is therefore important to take a closer look. There is never absolute certainty with medications - but the ingredients on the packaging and asking pharmacists and manufacturers usually provide more precise information.
14. shoes
Most shoes Are not vegan in many respects. With the leather material (animal skin) or the inner lining (e.g. lambskin) this is quite obvious. But it gets trickier with other components. Because, unfortunately, the adhesives used (e.g. from Milk protein) often of animal origin.
Last but not least, manufacturers only have to declare the material that makes up the majority of the shoe. There is no labeling requirement for the origin of small, decorative elements.
Notice:The majority of soccer boots and other sports shoes are now vegan. Vegans should read the product description carefully when making their choice. You can be sure when buying vegan shoes if these come from appropriately known vegan brands or are clearly labeled as vegan.
15. sports balls
Fortunately, most footballs, basketballs and volleyballs today are made of plastic. However, there are still sports balls here and there that are made from animal leather or pig bladders.
Notice: The majority of soccer boots and other sports shoes are now also vegan. However, vegans should pay particular attention to the adhesive used when making their choice.
16. silk
Also conventional Silk is not vegan. This is because it is an animal fiber from the Caterpillar cocoons of the silkworm moth. For silk scarves and clothing, the silkworms are scalded alive in boiling water or killed with gas. The real vegan alternative is silk made from agave or soy fibers, for example.
17. tampons
Tampons are often vegan - but unfortunately not always. Especially not when their production Animal testing were carried out. Even today, there are still experiments in which Guinea pigs, baboons or rabbits have tampons inserted into their vaginas that are laced with living bacteria. By specifically choosing animal-free tampons made from certified organic cotton, you can avoid these cruel experiments and ensure that they are never carried out again.
18. screens
Many screens of computers, smartphones, cameras and televisions are made of liquid crystals constructed. The crystals of the so-called LCD displays (abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display) often consist of animal Cholesterol. Accordingly, screens are also among the things that are surprising to many, but are not compatible with the basic idea of veganism.
Tip: How you can change your Easy on the eyes at the computerby the way, I will explain in a separate article!
19. tattoos
There are some things in tattoos that are often not vegan. For example, the tattoo ink sometimes consists of Animal charcoal or from Shellaca substance that is "extracted" from the excretions of paint scale insects. As the utensils used in the tattoo studio could theoretically not be vegan either - and creams or other aftercare products often contain animal ingredients - it is recommended that you get a tattoo parlor directly. vegan tattoo studio select.
Tip: Shellac is the additive with the identification number E 904 and belongs to the non-vegan E numbers. If you know them, it will be much easier for you to identify unvegan products.
20. dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are supposed to make garments noticeably soft and pleasant for sensitive skin. However, some suppliers unfortunately add animal fatty acid as an ingredient in their products - for whatever reason. There are also dryer balls for the tumble dryer, which are often made from sheep's wool. If we're already talking about surprisingly non-vegan things, I didn't want to withhold this information from you.
21. perfume
Unfortunately, some fragrant perfumes also contain animal ingredients, such as Muskwhich is "extracted" from the gonads of killed musk deer. Also Ambergris is an animal fragrance in perfumes that comes from the digestive tract of sperm whales. The list could be extended with Hyraceum (petrified urine from the klippdachs) and Lanolinthe talc gland secretion of sheep. It is quite questionable whether we would spray ourselves with it if we were aware of these ingredients.
22. plastic bags
You didn't think plastic bags would be mentioned when talking about non-vegan things, did you? If you're a fan of the Zero Waste Lifestyle you have probably replaced plastic bags with jute bags, a rucksack or another waste-avoiding reusable alternative long ago anyway. But if you still use plastic bags from time to time, let me tell you that some of them Lubricant from animal fats contained so that friction and statistical charging is reduced.
23. candles
Candles made from pure rapeseed or soybean oil are vegan. This also generally applies to kerosene candles, although their wax is obtained from fossil raw materials such as crude oil and brown coal. However, many candles generally contain Stearic acid, Tallow or Beeswax - and therefore animal ingredients. This is why they are often surprisingly non-vegan products. As a vegan, it is important to specifically select vegan-declared candles or to ask the retailers and manufacturers.
24. fireworks
Unfortunately, non-vegan items are also often fireworks. They also contain Stearic acidwhich is mainly used for coating metal powders such as iron and aluminum. We remember: stearic acid comes from pig fat and beef tallow - and is therefore not compatible with the vegan way of life.
25. nail polish
Yes, even nail polishes are not automatically vegan. Many people have colored and often glittery pigments (known as guanine) applied to their fingernails in nail salons, which are made from Fish scales manufactured. Vegan nail polishes, on the other hand, are equipped with the mineral mica, which achieves a comparable effect.
Notice: Guanine is also a component of many eye shadows and lipsticks. It is therefore necessary to look a little more closely in the drugstore. As a rule, however, the use of animal pigments is labeled.
There are many things that are not vegan - but perfectionism down to the last detail is not the way to go!
I can well understand that "vegan beginners" now feel a little overwhelmed by the number of non-vegan items. But just because there are one or two items that surprisingly contain animal ingredients doesn't directly change your attitude, Protecting animals in your everyday life to want.
Please don't think that you have to do everything perfectly and that "vegan perhaps too extreme and is too difficult for you". On the contrary, it's great that your compassion for animals has led you to find out even more about the background of products. The ones listed here, non-vegan things, will also be vegan in the near futureif you consciously avoid their purchase and instead opt for animal-friendly alternatives.
Notice: Veganism aims to end the (systematic) exploitation of animals as far as practically possible. No one can Live 100 percent vegan and ensure that you ABSOLUTELY do not harm animals through your own way of life. After all, you could accidentally step on an ant or a beetle. As a vegan you wish a vegan world - but on the way there, perfection does not play a role. What counts is the will to keep learning, to adapt one's own lifestyle for the welfare of animals and to consciously prevent animal suffering.
Now you know some more non-vegan things again....
... and you can take a closer look or ask the manufacturer and the sales staff before you buy them. I bet you were quite surprised by some of the examples given, weren't you? And I haven't even talked about food here yet.
But as I said, don't be deterred, because perfection is not the point. Just be aware at all times, why you live vegan - and put yourself in the position of the animals. Then the motivation comes by itself.
Whether shoes, pens, medicines or candles - unfortunately, there are still an incredible number of products whose manufacturers use animal ingredients. For financial reasons, for example, or because the animal world means very little to them. But awareness is growing - from consumers to producers. By giving preference to vegan goods, you are making a significant contribution to accelerating this process.
I very much hope that I have been able to help you with this article on items that are often not vegan after all. Do you have any questions, tips or other things that you were surprised to learn are actually not vegan? Then I look forward to your comment!
Stay animal-friendly,
PS.: Have you ever dealt with the Euphemism for animal products have you looked into it? In the linked article, I explain how the industry deceives consumers with euphemistic descriptions of cruel acts against animals.
