By Mansi Bhagwate
Many of us make conscious choices to avoid harm, embracing ahimsa in the way we eat, dress, and live. We check labels, ask questions, and strive to align our actions with our values. But what if the harm we seek to avoid is woven into the very fabric of our daily lives—hidden in places we would never think to look?
Take food, for instance. It’s easy to assume that a simple loaf of bread or a glass of wine aligns with a non-violent lifestyle. Yet, many commercial breads are softened with L-cysteine, often derived from duck feathers. Some wines and beers are filtered with isinglass, a clarifying agent made from fish bladders. Even the sugar in a cup of tea might have been processed using bone char. These hidden ingredients rarely appear on labels, leaving many consumers unaware that their food is not as plant-based as they intended.
We all know that silk, wool, and cashmere are just as bad as leather, involving exploitation and suffering. But did you know that some fabrics are treated with animal-derived dyes, like cochineal, which comes from crushed insects? Or that waterproof coatings on clothing can contain lanolin from sheep’s wool? Even everyday sewing threads and embroidery floss sometimes contain silk blends.
Personal care products and cosmetics, meant to nourish and protect, sometimes hold ingredients that tell a different story. The creamy richness of certain lipsticks comes from beeswax or carmine, a pigment made from insects. Collagen and keratin, added to hair and skin products for their strengthening properties, are often sourced from the connective tissues of animals. Even something as simple as a bar of soap may contain stearic acid from animal fat.
And then there are the objects we touch every day—our books, our furniture, the tires on our cars. Traditional glues, used in bookbinding, woodworking, and musical instruments, are often made from boiled animal bones. Some paints and inks contain shellac, secreted by insects. Even rubber tires may rely on animal-derived stearic acid to maintain durability. These materials are so deeply embedded in our world that they become invisible, even to those who try to live with intention.
So, what do we do when we realize that harm exists in places we never expected? We begin with awareness, gentle curiosity, with asking how the things we consume came to be. We choose alternatives where we can, seeking vegan, cruelty-free options. We support brands that are transparent about their sourcing, encouraging industries to move toward compassion. When choosing fabrics, natural plant-based materials like cotton, linen, and hemp offer cruelty-free options. Many innovative alternatives are emerging as well, like cactus leather, pineapple leather, and recycled synthetics that provide sustainable choices without harming animals. And most importantly, we remain kind to ourselves as we navigate this journey, understanding that living ethically is not about perfection, but about making thoughtful, informed choices whenever possible.
For this week’s Anuvrat, I invite you to not only bring compassion to your plate, but remember: ahimsa is a path that extends beyond food. Let us pledge to be aware of the hidden animal products in our lives and take one more step toward a world that reflects the kindness we wish to see.
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Mansi Bhagwate is the co-founder of Revolution Philadelphia, a writer, and holds a degree in Occupational Therapy and a post-graduate certificate in Public Health. A dedicated vegan and animal rights activist, she has advocated for over a decade. (Photo provided by the author)
