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Home » Reviews » Veganissimo A to Z Review

March 2, 2013

Veganissimo A to Z Review

Veganissimo A to Z: A Comprehensive Guide to Identifying and Avoiding Ingredients of Animal Origin in Everyday Products

One of the reasons I first decided to be a vegetarian—and then eventually vegan—was the thought of an animal suffering to produce a completely unnecessary end product deeply disgusted and saddened me. I wanted to know more about things like factory farming and cosmetic testing, but this required seeing disturbing images and reading about practices that left me feeling angry and completely helpless about the amount of cruelty and waste I observed. So I eventually stopped with all of that and focused instead on vegan cooking.

Becoming an ethical vegan for me, then, was a decision based purely on emotion. When I select vegan literature to read, I am drawn to titles that are written in a purely neutral and intellectual way, as it allows me to focus on the facts at hand—opposed to angering me to the point where inaction is the end result.

Veganissimo A to Z: A Comprehensive Guide to Identifying and Avoiding Ingredients of Animal Origin in Everyday Products by Reuben Proctor and Lars Thomsen, is the kind of book that appeals to me, as it provides a solid set of facts and a call to action by promoting conscious consumerism. They achieve this by outlining and describing the hidden animal products that permeate our daily lives in likely and unlikely products like cosmetics, LCD computer screens, explosives, medications, plant fertilizers, nutritional supplements and detergents, to name a few.

As I scanned through the book, my first thought was: do I have to inventory all of my belongings and remove them accordingly in order to be vegan … or a veganissimo? I initially thought yes, but after reading through it a few more times, I understood the authors’ intent here, which is to empower readers of the book to identify and therefore reduce their reliance on hidden animal products. The eventual effect of this is a lowered demand for them, thereby potentially eliminating their cruel and unnecessary production practices.

This book is well-thought out and nicely organized. Veganissimo presents ingredients that are listed alphabetically, accompanied by a symbol that clearly shows whether an ingredient is animal-, vegetable-, synthetic-, mineral- or microbiological-based. The reader can therefore quickly decipher that Potassium Undecylenoyl Hydrolyzed Collagen is animal derived, Zea Mays Silk Extract is completely vegetable-based and Montan Acid Wax is a synthetic product. A full list of vegan, organic and non-GMO logos are included, with detailed descriptions of what they each mean. Veganissimo also includes a a section that provides vegan alternatives to common animal products.

Because I found the concept of the book to be so fascinating in its approach, I am excited that the publisher, The Experiment, is offering a free copy of it through this blog post. If you’d like a chance to win the copy, just include as a comment below a seemingly harmless ingredient or product you have discovered not to be vegan. For example, I learned recently that photography paper almost always contains gelatin. Or, if you’d like, just pin the cover of this book to Pinterest, and tell me you did in a comment. Or do both!

Please leave your email or some way to contact you in your comment in case you are the winner. I’ll use random.org to draw and announce the winner on Sunday, March 10. (Shipping is limited to the US only.)

UPDATE: The winner of the drawing is Bobbie {the vegan crew}. Congrats Bobbie!

And, if you like, follow the book’s publisher, The Experiment, on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates and news.

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Filed Under: Book and Product Reviews, Reviews

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. lauren atchison says

    March 2, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    my favorite cereal, frosted mini-wheats, now a thing of the past, due to gelatin in the frosted coating 🙁 loolai@aol.com

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:40 am

      I have the same gripe about pop tarts with the icing/coating on them — gelatin? and why? no thanks!

      Reply
  2. Simba's Mom says

    March 2, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    I found out these breath strips I was using had gelatin

    Reply
  3. julie@thesimpleveganista says

    March 2, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    I started my vegan journey for health reasons but that quickly changed when I saw the amount of horrific suffering…my empathy button turned on full throttle and there was no turning back! From foods to cosmetics and other seemingly harmless ingredients…it's progress not perfection to start with like you say. What a great book, I think I'll pick one up for myself. May vegans one day be the dominant culture. Thank you for enlightening me with the book review and all the great foods you share. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Tina says

    March 2, 2013 at 4:14 pm

    I LOVE wine and discovered my favorite chardonnay, Toasted Head, is not vegan, so I've switched to Kendall Jackson, which is!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    March 2, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    For me, the big discovery was methods to make wine. I was shocked to learn how many wines are not vegan and am very grateful to have a winery down the street from me that I know is vegan since I've talked to the owners about their methodology. I pinned the book cover; it sounds like a great resource. Wish I could enter the giveaway, but I'm not going to leave my e-mail address in the open for anyone to grab, and I don't have any of the other accounts in your dropdown since I'm not a blogger (or google user).

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 2, 2013 at 6:07 pm

      Anonymous — thanks for your comment! If you want, feel free to send me your email address at erinwyso [at] olivesfordinner [dot] com, and I'll be sure to email you if you are chosen via random.org as the winner.

      Reply
  6. janet @ the taste space says

    March 2, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    This is so timely. I just put together a post about vegan lip balms but had a hard time decipherhing whether my favourite balms from C.O. Bigelow were vegan since they had so many ingredients I was unfamiliar with (beeswax is easy to spot in an ingredient list). I really have started to appreciate the simple all-natural balms. I find they work better, too!

    Reply
  7. ann says

    March 2, 2013 at 8:06 pm

    My biggest disappointment was to find that Oreos in France are not vegan. Although maybe I should be thankful, since its pretty hard to find a redeeming quality in an Oreo…. 😉

    Reply
  8. ez says

    March 3, 2013 at 12:49 am

    I thought it was disappointing that non-dairy creamer is not vegan

    Reply
  9. Marisa says

    March 3, 2013 at 1:34 am

    The vitamin C we bought at Costco. It contains carmine. I was gobsmacked. Why in the world would you ruin vitamins for me, Costco??? I mean, yeah, I can get them elsewhere and vegan, but I am right there, happy not to have to make another trip. Disappoint!

    Reply
  10. Laura Hernandez says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:50 am

    Starbucks mocha fraps are powdered with milk 🙁

    Reply
  11. Dan's Animal Free says

    March 3, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    Natural flavors always trip me up. Also foods that say "may contain milk." What the heck? Do they or don't they?

    Reply
  12. M+A says

    March 3, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Gelatin in vitamins/medications and casein in "non-dairy" items. Yuck!

    Reply
  13. Vegan in Boston says

    March 3, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    I was shocked when I learned that many tires have animal byproduct in them. You start riding a bike to be more earth friendly, then realize that there are animal in those tires. Also, plastic bags. We have switched to cloth bags for 99% of things, but every now and then I don't have a cloth bag on me when I run into a store. There are so many sneaky uses that don't seem reasonable!

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:44 am

      That was the one thing that this book that shocked me — I have mastered staying away from animal products in food and always try to buy cosmetics that are cruelty-free, but I never would have known that things like batteries and LCD screens would be so leaden with animal byproducts as well.

      Reply
  14. Tiffany K says

    March 3, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    i recently looked at the ingredients of my favorite "plain, all~natural" potato chips and was shocked and amazed to see that they had whey listed in the ingredients!! i couldn't believe it…just goes to show that if you aren't making it yourself, you have to read every ingredient on every label…

    Reply
  15. sdianiska says

    March 3, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Not vegan, trying to get more healthy and kind to the earth…blogs like yours help, Trying to stick to my rule of no more than 5 ingredients on the label and if I can't pronounce it, I don't want it in me.

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:46 am

      Great rule of thumb. I love it that more companies are using vegan logos or just stating (vegan) at the top of ingredient lists (like Amy's products).

      Reply
  16. sdianiska says

    March 3, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    I read ALL labels and try to stick to fresh as much as possible.

    Reply
  17. Bobbie {the vegan crew} says

    March 3, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    I don't drink coffee, so it's never been an issue, but there is a bottle of creamer at work that has a huge "dairy-free" banner on it. If you read the ingredients you'll see that it contains…wait for it…dairy. Go figure! (PS. My email is bobbie AT thevegancrew.com).

    Reply
  18. maureen says

    March 3, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    When I went vegan last June I was shocked to read that wine and beer are not vegan. I read Main Street Vegan book as my very first How To book and it helped me tremendously. This book sounds like a great reference for vegans as well!
    mmmscott@bellsouth.net

    Reply
  19. christine says

    March 3, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Maureen, some wines and beers are vegan – they don't all use isinglass or eggshell or blood to fine them – honest! Many Australian wines are good, look on the websites:)

    did you know that regular matchheads have gelatin in them????? and don't just zest any old lemon – they can be coated with shelac or other nasty things, as can the skins of apples – why? to make them look shiny on the shelves!!!!

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:53 am

      Thanks for clarifying that, christine, and for the tip on Australian wines. : )

      And matchsticks and lemons containing animal products? Unbelievable!

      Reply
  20. Melissa says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    I read recently that animal bones are sometimes put in sugar to make it more white 🙁 Illinimel81@hotmail.com

    Reply
  21. Melissa says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:44 pm

    I also pinned the book cover! Illinimel81@hotmail.com

    Reply
  22. Ashley Chew says

    March 3, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    I discovered that not all tattoo ink is vegan. Some especially black contains crushed animal bone. Luckily my tattoo artist uses a vegan brand!!

    Reply
    • Teri Inman says

      March 7, 2013 at 6:53 pm

      Ha! That's what I listed, I didn't see this until after.

      Reply
  23. Kara Z says

    March 3, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    It was champagne that surprised me. Such a disappointment! Pinned the book cover too!

    Reply
  24. Ashley says

    March 3, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    I was bummed to find out some of my vitamins weren't vegan. Good thing for better alternatives! ammauceri@gmail.com

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:54 am

      I was surprised to see how much gelatin and animal byproducts are put into everyday medications after reading Veganissimo. gross.

      Reply
  25. Kathleen Smith says

    March 3, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    I pinned the book cover. tracyksmith@charter.net

    Reply
  26. Anonymous says

    March 4, 2013 at 12:06 am

    Looked for some organic corn chips and found some chili lime flavoured. As I approached the register, I caught they had whey in them. Why? Why?? Must.Read.Every.Label.

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:56 am

      I hate whey. It ruins otherwise perfectly good food.

      Reply
  27. Stephanie Zurek says

    March 4, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I remember being shocked when I heard that some beers and wines aren't vegan. Isinglass (a fish byproduct) is used as a clarifying agent in many English beers. I was quite relieved to learn that my favorite styles (German and Belgian) are *usually* okay thanks to the purity laws in those regions. It was a totally eye-opening moment to realize that the PROCESSES may not be vegan!

    Reply
  28. The Peace Patch says

    March 4, 2013 at 2:01 am

    The vitamins I'd been taking for years…never would have guessed they had gelatin in them but there ya go, hidden waaaaay down, 15th ingredient on the "contains less than 2%" portion of the list. Sneaky little suckers. 🙁

    Reply
  29. Johanna says

    March 4, 2013 at 3:16 am

    I don't like that crushed bugs are okay to make food coloring. Yuck.
    johanna@woodbury.org

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:59 am

      I have heard that there are some companies that make vegan food coloring. But food coloring in itself is kind of a weird concept in itself, so I usually stay away from it!

      Reply
  30. Melissa Dion says

    March 4, 2013 at 3:38 am

    I was upset when I learned that not all alcohol is vegan! Not cool.

    Reply
  31. Jenny says

    March 4, 2013 at 4:36 am

    Sugar was the biggest surprise for me, along with bagels- I mean, I sort of figured that they would contain eggs or at least an egg wash. But duck feathers? Or human hair? Yikes. Anyways, I wanted to tell you I really liked this article and agree completely. When reading a book or watching a movie that has to do with veganism, I want to know the facts, not be bombarded with images that will keep me up at night.

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:36 am

      Yikes! Duck feathers? I thought bagels were a pretty "safe" vegan food, but I'll be checking the ingredients from now on.

      Reply
  32. Jerilee Auclair says

    March 4, 2013 at 12:21 am

    Pesto has parmesan cheese in it! What??? I now stock up on Basil Pesto at Food Fight! Grocery in Portland OR when I'm there. jerileeauclair@gmail.com

    Reply
  33. Jeni Houser says

    March 4, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Hi! When I made my lifestyle change, I was surprised to find out that simple salad dressings (specifically while dining out) had an egg ingredient! I am always surprised at how many employees will not take the time to find out what the menu entails. I plan ahead and call or research on my own now.

    I am wondering…..will this book help with my carbon/green footprint as well?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 4, 2013 at 11:38 am

      Any efforts that reduce the reliance on animal products most certainly would!

      Reply
  34. aamos613 says

    March 4, 2013 at 11:45 am

    Pinned..I also just discovered that my body wash has gelatin in it. Eck!

    Reply
  35. Marti says

    March 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    I was truly disappointed to find that so many snack crackers are not vegan. For example, Wheat Thins Sundried Tomato & Basil, which were always a favorite contain disodium inosinate which according to my "Animal Free" app is a flavor enhancer often derived from meat or fish (sardines.) Though it CAN be from vegetable or fungal sources clearly the Wheat Thins don't show that they are. MANY "flavored" snack products contain this along with Snyders of Hanover flavored pretzel snacks, etc. I can honestly say it is a good thing to have found out, because it drove me onto more whole food types of snacks and less processed! It's all better for my health anyway without that junk!

    Reply
  36. vedgedout.com says

    March 4, 2013 at 4:18 pm

    When I first went vegan I was surprised that almost all store bought bread has animal products in it. It's Bread, c'mon peeps! Now I mostly make my own, but I've found just a couple that are safe in case of emergencies

    Reply
  37. Barb says

    March 4, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    I've been vegan for nearly 8 years and I'm still uncovering ingredients that I had no idea were animal derived. Very frustrating…and so unnecessary!

    Reply
  38. Jennifer K says

    March 5, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    I pinned here: http://pinterest.com/pin/88946161363021516/

    Reply
  39. Jennifer K says

    March 5, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I never would have suspected that "natural flavoring" in something strawberry/raspberry/vanilla could be non-vegan but earlier this year, there was an article about Starbucks' smoothies and how the contains castoreum – beaver gland extract. Ewww!

    Reply
    • erinwyso says

      March 5, 2013 at 11:04 pm

      Beaver gland extract? why!?!?!

      Reply
  40. kimberley says

    March 5, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    Where I live Oreos aren't even vegetarian 🙁

    Reply
  41. Molly Elwell says

    March 7, 2013 at 3:07 am

    These comments are so depressing! I recently learned that Silk is owned by Dean foods aka America's largest dairy company….so, no more Silk. Oh well. Great giveaway, though, thanks!
    meanrabbit88(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
    • Jerilee Auclair says

      March 7, 2013 at 5:12 am

      Thanks for the heads up, Molly. I didn't know that. Goodbye Silk.

      Reply
  42. Matt Shepherd says

    March 7, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Food colouring! That blew my mind. Also, trying to assemble a cracker and Daiya wedge plate and finding out that 99% of the crackers on the shelf have modified milk ingredients. (mattshepherd at gmail)

    Reply
  43. Teri Inman says

    March 7, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    I was doing research on tattoo's and found out that some contain ground up bones from animals. novologninja @ gmail

    Reply
  44. Denise says

    March 8, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    I pinned it and recently found out gummi bears are not vegan 🙁 I am so sad! I had no idea what geletin was made out of! I have a LONG way to go learning this stuff!

    Reply
  45. Tanya says

    March 8, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    I was shocked to find gelatin in Planters sunflower seeds!

    Reply
  46. EJ says

    March 8, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    I hate finding things like 'modified milk ingredients,' whey powder, honey, and gelatin in random items that you'd assume would be vegan. This seems to happen a lot. Also, dark chocolate should never have milk in it IMO, but some chocolate brands put milk in their dark varieties. jacobelmusic@googlemail.com

    Reply
  47. Deborah says

    March 14, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    I guess I'm too late, I only found the blog today. I'd love the book though 🙂

    Reply

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