Animal Ingredients A to Z: Third Edition [Paperback]

EG Smith Collective (Editor), Carol Adams (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2004

Animal Ingredients A to Z is the bible for vegetarians, vegans, and caring consumers. More and more, we find our everyday foods containing peculiar -ingredients—many of which are animal derived. As well as a comprehensive listing of animal ingredients, this easy-to-navigate guide contains supplemental information on vegan nutrition, food alternatives, and contact information for animal advocacy groups. Carol Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat and Bruce Friedrich, director of Vegan Outreach at PETA, offer introductions to this newly expanded edition. Finally, consumers can brave the labels at their local market with confidence.

"Every vegan should own a copy of Animal Ingredients A to Z."—Erik Marcus, author off Vegan: The New Ethics of Eating.

Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: AK Press; Third Edition edition (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902593812
• ISBN-13: 978-1902593814
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.2 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #754,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Want some ox blood with that drink? May 19, 2006

By Doug Brunell

If you are vegan or vegetarian and don't have this book, you may be in a bit of a bind.

I received this as a Friend of AK Press (something you should consider becoming if you are at all politically or socially minded), and I have to admit it's not something I'd normally read. I eat meat, but this book has me second guessing that decision.

Besides being a thorough listing of what animal products are in food, this also covers beers, wine, whiskey and cider. From chemicals to secretions to bones -- it's all covered. Personally, I was stunned at the number of foods -- even things I would've considered vegetarian -- that had animal products in them.

AK Press has done everyone a service by putting out this book. It's an excellent reference guide and well worth the price.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars essential for vegans and vegetarians July 25, 2006

By ashley

This book is filled with more information than you may ever have thought you needed in order to live a cruelty-free lifestyle, but it's all here, presented in a readable and highly useful format. I can't imagine adopting a vegan diet without the aid of this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for what it is. April 28, 2007

By Janet Clarke

Amazon Verified Purchase

IE: a reference list of animal ingredients to look out for in your food/cosmetics, etc. Nothing that you can't find elsewhere on the web, but it's nice to have it summarized in one handy booklet.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought! April 18, 2007

By wildflowerboy

Amazon Verified Purchase

As a whole food consumer, though not a vegan, this small, informative book has me reconsidering my diet. While I do occassionally enjoy organic dairy products and free range meat, I sometimes feel guilty in doing so. Frankly, I was startled to learn about the vast plethora of obscure ingredients in our food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals derived from animals. The E.G. Smith Collective has really done an outstanding job collecting all this data. That said, I was a little dismayed that a few of their vegan alternatives were less than eco-friendly. For example, beeswax candles are certainly much healthier for the planet than petroleum candles! (Furthermore, having never been a beekeeper, I really don't understand how extracting beeswax from a honeycomb actually injures the bees. I would also question the idea that eating royal jelly, bee pollen and honey is honestly bad for you given their importance in natural medicine). In addition to suggesting a lot of questionable synthetic alternatives to animal ingredients, they also recommend a lot of soybean products. Personally, I love tofu, soy milk, and tofu ice cream, but I'm also aware of what Vandana Shiva refers to as "soy imperialism." Unfortunately, the authors of this book never discuss the ecological danger of biotechnology. While health food is expensive and brings up lots of complicated class issues, I would really encourage consumers (if you can) to only buy organically grown, non-GMO soy products. I would also suggest you eat other high protein veggie foods as well to diversify both your diet and the heath food industry. Whether I eventually eliminate animal ingredients entirely from my diet, I'm still not sure.... However, I am extremely grateful for this excellent vegan resource for opening my eyes to the pervasiveness of animal cruelity in our economic system and challenging both my anthropocentric attitude towards animals and my position on food politics. Read more ›

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book July 3, 2007

By M. Dunn

This book is very quick to read. It's small so I keep it in my purse and I use it everytime I go grocery shopping. Beware, some of the information is very shocking. I definately recommend to anyone trying to become a vegetarian/vegan.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful in my transition to veganism January 29, 2008

By S. Smith

Amazon Verified Purchase

Handy guide and small enough to carry in my purse or laptop bag. This was very useful as I made the transition to a vegan lifestyle.

I am completley blown away at how many animal derived ingredients are in everything from toothpaste to shampoo to lotion. I shudder to think that while I have not eaten meat for years, I was rubbing something that came from a sheeps stomach on my body every day.

Probably the most surprising thing was learning that wine and beer are also something I need to consider carefully.

If you want to know what is in the products you are buying, this is a very handy reference. I highly recommend for beginning vegans.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative October 3, 2008

By Cynthia Lam

This book was very informative and helped me through my transition a lot. But there were some parts in the book that were vague but overall it's great!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A vegan's best friend January 18, 2008

By PJ

Like it has been said many times already, this book is an essential book for all vegetarians, vegans, or just anyone who doesn't care to eat the worst parts of animals. Pretty thin, light book, easy to carry with you. I keep it in my messenger bag wherever I go.