Got Gelatin?

I’ll never forget the day I first learned the truth about gelatin. I was 16, and was in a café with a new friend when I offered him one of the marshmallows destined to be stirred into the hot chocolate I was about to drink.

He shook his head no, then explained, “I’m a vegetarian.”

I thought I was a vegetarian too, so I was pretty shocked to find out that my consumption of marshmallows and other candies indicated either an innocent ignorance (not anymore!) or a profound inconsistency that I was going to have to address, as I was soon to find out that gelatin(e) is derived from the collagen inside animals’ skin, bones, and connective tissues.

From the website of Gelatin Manufacturers of America:

“Gelatin is… obtained from partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from natural sources such as skin, connective tissue, and bones of animals. The raw materials used in the production of gelatin… include cattle bone, cattle hides and fresh, frozen pigskins.”

On a commercial scale, gelatin is made from by-products of the meat and leather industry. Contrary to popular belief, horns and hooves are not commonly used. Worldwide production amounts to 250,000 tons per year.

…

Image: Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Read more: Animal Rights, Diet & Nutrition, Food, Pets, Vegan, Vegetarian, gelatin

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

John S.

4:52AM PDT on May 10, 2011

Thanks, I'm not a vegan, or even a vegetarian, but I do like to know what goes into products I buy (or don't). I remember when gelatin was a selling point as it was good for growing strong finger nails.

send a green star

Sue M.

6:23PM PST on Mar 5, 2011

thanks.

rene d.

2:47PM PST on Feb 2, 2011

good stufff in this posting!

Josephina S.

10:57AM PST on Jan 13, 2011

:( im vegetarian and i didnt know that there was gelatin in so many of my everyday products
i dont think my parents will change what we have in our house though
and while i respect your opinion, i think how youre expressing your opinion is a bit harsh:
younger vegetarians, such as me, don't always have the choice to choose everything that their parents buy
just because you might have gelatin in your diet/ household products does not mean you are NOT A VEGETARIAN
because i certainly am

Barbara Z.

9:13PM PST on Dec 10, 2010

Glad I read this. I had know idea there were so many everyday items that contained that horrible stuff.

Kortney F.

12:42PM PST on Dec 8, 2010

It's disgusting to NOT KNOW what your eating.. Candy doesn't exactly make you feel like your eating animal corpses but lo and behold; nothing is safe anymore.
There needs to be more veg friendly labels and warnings on food. Why is gelatin vital anyways? You can make food with vegetable based gelatin-replacment so why pigs skins and cow tendons instead?

Diane L.

8:23PM PST on Dec 6, 2010

I know whee Sequim is...........I'm close to the e.........guess what? Keyboa d is sticking! The website is:

http://www.trilliumcreekwinery.com/index.html

Patrice D.

7:32PM PST on Dec 6, 2010

@Joseph B. - it's all about baby steps and learning! If you are curious, seek info. Good luck along your path of increasing your knowledge in whatever areas you choose to research!

7:27PM PST on Dec 6, 2010

@Diane L. - I live on the Olympic Peninsula, in Sequim. (Google Earth if possible, or Sequim's on the coast on the south side of the San Juan de Fuca Strait - Canada being on the other side.) No, I've never visited Trillium Winery, but don't see them listed on Barnivore. You may want to contact the winery and ask if some or all of their wines are vegan, and then have them submit that info to Barnivore. It will help others with their choices! Thanks!

Theresa C.

3:18PM PST on Dec 6, 2010

Great info! Very helpful... Thanks a lot :)