Greetings fellow travellers,
In the first of a new series, I’m going to share with you some of the mystery ingredients which find their way into food and other consumer products and have a look at whether they are animal, vegetable or mineral. For animal products which vegans avoid, alternatives will be given.
Today’s Mystery Ingredient Monday has been brought to you by:
Gelatine (US: Gelatin)
Commonly found in: jelly, jello, chewy sweets. Also in photgraphic film (strange, but true).
What is it? It is a colourless, chewy substance derived from the boiled skin, bones and tendons of animals during the rendering process. Kosher gelatin isn’t necessarily vegan. Don’t assume that Kosher gelatine is vegan (although all the vegan alternatives are Kosher).
Why do manufacturers use it? Because it is cheap and plentiful due to the huge number of animals slaughtered daily 
Alternatives? Vegan alternatives to gelatine include agar agar, carrageen and guar gum. These and products containing them are available from health food stores, and increasingly, supermarkets. Oh, and of course digital cameras don’t use film ;o)
Peace,
~ Quirky Vegan
