Animal products are either produced by an animal or taken from the body of an animal. The term is primarily used in relation to diet, particularly for vegetarians, vegans and those concerned with maintaining a Kosher, Halaal, or raw food diet.

The term Animal product is generally not applied to products made from fossilized or decomposed animals. Petroleum is formed from the ancient remains of marine animals but is not considered an animal product. Crops grown in soil fertilzed with animal remains are also not considered animal products.

Common animal products used for food

• blood, especially in the form of blood sausage
• carmine also known as cochineal (food dye)
• civet oil (food flavoring additive)
• dairy products (e.g., milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc.)
• human breast milk
• eggs
• gelatin
• honey (although there is some controversy over defining honey as an animal product)
• L-cysteine from human hair and pig bristles (used in the production of biscuits and bread)
• lard
• meat, including fish
• rennet (commonly used in the production of cheese).

Non-food animal products

• blood and some blood substitutes (used for transfusions and other medical uses)
• bone, including antlers, ivory, tusks, bone char, bone meal, etc.
• casein (used in plastics, clothing, cosmetics, adhesives and paint)
• castoreum (secretion of the beaver used in perfumes and possibly in food flavoring)
• feathers
• foreskin (used to treat burns victims)
• fur
• lanolin
• leather
• pearl or mother of pearl
• sponges
• silk
• stearate (may also be used in chewing gum)
• tallow (may also be used in food)
• urine
• whale oil
• wool

See also

• animal testing

References

• Vegan Society - Criteria For Vegan Food
• Mian N Riaz, Riaz N Riaz, Muhammad M Chaudry Halal Food Production, CRC Press, 2004. ISBN 1587160293

Animal products | Veganism | Vegetarianism