Avoiding animal derived ingredients
The following is a list of animal derived ingredients commonly found in many processed foods. These ingredients are made from animals and are by-products of the slaughterhouse industry and should not be included in a vegetarian diet. Also included is a little information on egg and dairy production as both these industries raise important animal welfare issues that should be considered by vegetarians. Luckily there are many alternative ingredients now in popular use making it is easy to avoid foods that contain animal products.
Always read labels carefully and check for the following animal derived ingredients:
- Rennet
Found in cheese, rennet can be made from the lining of calves’ stomaches but can also be from vegetable or either fungal or bacterial sources. Some cheese manufacturers will not state whether the rennet in their products is vegetarian or not. However, it is possible to buy cheese that clearly states vegetarian or if not, insure to check the label; sometimes the rennet with be identified as “vegetable-based”.
- Gelatine and gelling agents
Gelatine is a by-product of the slaughter-house industry and is made from animal hides, hooves, bones, cartilage and tendons. It is present in many processed foods and is often in low fat yoghurts, lollies/confectionary and ready-made deserts to name a few. There are vegetarian gelling agents like agar and carrageen that are used by some manufacturers. Always check labels to insure the product does not contain gelatine.
- Fish products
Some sauces, soups, dressings and Asian processed foods contain fish, or fish products. Keep an eye out for anchovies, crustacean, fish sauce and binto or aspic, caviar, chitin (made from crab shells) in the products you buy.
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- Eggs
While eggs are an acceptable and delicious element to a ovo-vegetarian diet it is important to always choose certified free-range eggs. Battery or Barn Laid eggs should not be an acceptable product for vegetarians, or anyone for that matter, due to the inhumane conditions imposed on battery hens.
Do a little research on the eggs you choose to insure the hens are kept in true free range conditions. As there is no legal definition for the term “free-range” some products labeled as such may still see hens kept in inhumane or poor condition. It is also worth considering that most egg producing farms destroy all male chicks and past point of lay hens; a practice that may distress some vegetarians.
Undoubtedly the best way to stock your kitchen with eggs is from small scale farmers. And if you are lucky enough to keep your own chickens or know someone who does this is even better. Check your local farmers market or health food/whole food stores and remember to always ask questions to ensure you are making a conscience and ethical choice. There are also egg alternatives, readily available from health food stores and increasingly from supermarkets, that are great for baking and cooking.
Another point worth considering is that many processed foods such as mayonnaise and bakery goods containing egg and egg derived ingredients such as albumin are probably made using battery eggs and should therefore be avoided.
- Diary Products
Dairy products are an acceptable part of any lacto-vegetarian diet and many vegetarians enjoy dairy and dairy products. However, it is worth considering the animal welfare issues that are a result of the diary industry, to insure we are making ethical and informed choices.
The conditions imposed on dairy cows could be distressing to some vegetarians and it is important to be aware of where the products you choose come from to insure you are making choices that reflect your values. Dairy cows are frequently impregnated with their calves removed prematurely causing distress to both the cow and calf. The male calves are nearly always slaughtered for veal and the dairy cows themselves are often destroyed after only 5 years. Although there is an increase in small scale and organic farming most milk production, as in egg production, will result in the inhumane slaughter of animals. A distressing fact that may see some vegetarians avoiding or reducing these products in their diet. If you do decide to avoid dairy products try and include a vitamin B12 supplement in your diet or eat plenty of foods fortified with B12.
Choose your products carefully and if you are concerned about the welfare conditions of dairy cattle there are many non-dairy alternatives to favourite dairy products; consider the options, ask questions and do a little research to insure you are making conscience and informed choices.
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