When you run into someone covered in tattoos who is telling you that eating a cheeseburger is murder, take it with a grain of salt. Most tattoo inks, especially black and green, contain animal byproducts. Starbrite ink offers vegan friendly ink alternatives to traditional ink, but some inks that claim to be vegan are not. Make sure you read all the ingredients before an ironic tattoo follows you to the grave.

Animal byproducts can be found everywhere. They can be found in your toothpaste, your bike tires and even plastic grocery bags. When you’re watching the fireworks this Fourth of July, think about the animal product (stearic acid used to coat metal powders) exploding in the sky. Even anti-freeze and brake fluid contain animal byproducts.

Even when considering “vegetarian” foods, you have to watch out for hidden animal products. A Choice review found that the vegie burger at Hungry Jack’s contained rennet, which is an enzyme extracted from calf stomachs. Rennet is commonly used in cheeses, including those found at Subway. Noodle Box’s meat-free Gung Ho Soy Box contained sauce with crustaceans “and their products”.

Gelatin is made from pork or beef and is commonly used in jellies, so strawberry jam might come with a touch of cow. Anything with butter in it contains animal fat, so make sure to read the ingredients before you bake those biscuits. Surprisingly, even beer and wine sometimes include animal byproducts used as additives.

Before you jump on the vegan bandwagon, realize what you’re getting yourself into. If you are actively seeking an animal-harm-free lifestyle, it is going to go far beyond giving up bacon. However, if you are just in it for the health benefits, you might not be sweating the other stuff. What’s a little cow toothpaste between friends?

Additional Resources

Statepress Vegan Choices Extend to Tattoo Parlors: http://www.statepress.com/2011/02/13/vegan-choices-extend-to-tattoo-parlors/

Tree Hugger 9 Everyday Products You Didn’t Know Had Animal Ingredients: http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/9-everyday-products-you-didnt-know-had-animal-ingredients.html

Animal Free Zone Hidden Animal Products: http://www.animalfreezone.co.uk/hiddenanimalproducts.html