What to do about shellac?

[wildr0se2]

I was reading about how some fruit (specifically apples) may have a shellac coating. I’m trying not to be a perfectionist, but I am worried if I am violating my veganism by consuming fruit that possibly is coated in shellac. Is it okay to continue consuming said fruit, or should I look into organic apples?

Also I hope this was the right place to ask this question.

 

[silva]

Products from insects--from the coloring carmine or cochineal, shellac, confectioners glaze- are found in so many foods that would be vegan without them. Trader Joes has many candy, as well as cocoa nibs, that are ruined by these products

I honestly forgot all about shellac, or I guess sometimes beeswax, on fruits. Apples are high on the dirty dozen for pesticide use, so organic is always best. I've rarely had an organic apple that I thought was good, and I love apples

 

[shyvas]

Even organic fruit may contain animal derived coatings such as beeswax and shellac. The latter is not vegan. However, unless you can be a
100 % certain that the products you are buying don't contain them, it's all a bit of a gamble.

Why Is Tesco Labeling Fruit As Unsuitable For Vegans?

Tesco has come under fire for selling fruit that is unsuitable for vegans due to protective coatings containing shellac and beeswax.

plantbasednews.org

 

[wildr0se2]

Even organic fruit may contain animal derived coatings such as beeswax and shellac. The latter is not vegan. However, unless you can be a
100 % certain that the products you are buying don't contain them, it's all a bit of a gamble.

Why Is Tesco Labeling Fruit As Unsuitable For Vegans?

Tesco has come under fire for selling fruit that is unsuitable for vegans due to protective coatings containing shellac and beeswax.

plantbasednews.org

do you think it’s okay to still consume them? Also, another question: are artificial dyes off the table for vegans? I know sometimes they are also tested on animals.

 

[silva]

Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals .........
If you have a budget that allows you to purchase from specialty stores that designate vegan offerings and price is no object, then you should buy foods designated vegan. If you don't have the money or resources than I would not call it practical, and not worry about it.
I don't worry about this, in fact I'd forgotten.

There was a time when I did obsess over all ingredients, and it really affected me mentally. I had to admit that it was unhealthy without any benefit for animals. I believe that if I continued with being that strict I probably would have given up.

Pick your battles. I stay away from things with beeswax or from lac insects if on ingredient list, but I don't give up fruit

The artificial dyes--I don't know. I remember watching for some number, but I don't remember what or why. Many are from petroleum products, like the red dyes

 

[wildr0se2]

I also wanted to know what to do in situations where art supplies may not be vegan. I am doing a mental health program, and their art supplies are either unclear whether they are vegan or aren’t vegan. Is this a battle I’d pick and choose? I definitely don’t have money to buy my own art supplies at the moment and we are required to fill out feedback forms during group.

I chose to use an Amazon Basics pencil for example, rather than BIC because I know BIC does animal testing whereas I believe Amazon Basics does not, but it’s still unclear whether they’re pencils are vegan. Maybe I should reach out to them?

It’s a shame my Pentel pen ran out of ink.

 

[wildr0se2]

Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals .........
If you have a budget that allows you to purchase from specialty stores that designate vegan offerings and price is no object, then you should buy foods designated vegan. If you don't have the money or resources than I would not call it practical, and not worry about it.
I don't worry about this, in fact I'd forgotten.

There was a time when I did obsess over all ingredients, and it really affected me mentally. I had to admit that it was unhealthy without any benefit for animals. I believe that if I continued with being that strict I probably would have given up.

Pick your battles. I stay away from things with beeswax or from lac insects if on ingredient list, but I don't give up fruit

The artificial dyes--I don't know. I remember watching for some number, but I don't remember what or why. Many are from petroleum products, like the red dyes

Thank you so much for your advice. I’m still in the obsession stage where I feel like I’m not a vegan if I don’t consume or use vegan versions of everything. And Reddit vegans seem extreme sometimes so I appreciate this forum.

 

[silva]

It's always good to research. Maybe you choose things that aren't all vegan out of budget or unavailability, but it's always better to know. I make it a point to contact the company and voice my concerns and preferences.

It takes some time to feel that eating animal free is 'normal', and that's really like the foundation, and not hard to do. Trying to change everything can be overwhelming, and sometimes more for personal purity than any real benefit
There are lots of choices though, and when you research you often find things vegan you didn't even expect!

The Green Artist | Animal & Environmentally friendly Art product list

A list of Art companies and products suited for Vegetarian & Vegan Artists includes environmental information also.

www.stepbystepart.co.uk

 

[Tom L.]

This is another issue I was oblivious to. I was thinking/hoping that locally grown fruit might not have shellac on it, because it might not be in cold storage for so long. Evidently, this isn't necessarily the case:

What is Shellac?

What is shellac? Shellac is used on fruits on vegetables as a preservative. Find out what it is and how to tell if it has been used.

eatbydate.com

But this article gives some advice about how to tell if something has been treated with shellac. Or, if you are buying from a local farm, you can ask the grower if they use it.

 

[silva]

This is another issue I was oblivious to. I was thinking/hoping that locally grown fruit might not have shellac on it, because it might not be in cold storage for so long. Evidently, this isn't necessarily the case:

What is Shellac?

What is shellac? Shellac is used on fruits on vegetables as a preservative. Find out what it is and how to tell if it has been used.

eatbydate.com

But this article gives some advice about how to tell if something has been treated with shellac. Or, if you are buying from a local farm, you can ask the grower if they use it.

The article ignores the vegan factor though--you don't notice beeswax

If you find the whole thing icky, you’re not alone. Look for uncoated produce or items that have been instead coated with organic beeswax.

Yeah, my favorite cosmic crisp are def coated. I haven't thought about this is a long time
I do wonder how much the coating helps prevent waste
At least in the fall I like to pick apples from local groves

 

[silva]

Since we're talking apples--does anyone else have issue with organic apples? I never find them to have a good texture. Never crisp, less flavor, usually kinda mealy

 

[wildr0se2]

I also wanted to know what to do in situations where art supplies may not be vegan. I am doing a mental health program, and their art supplies are either unclear whether they are vegan or aren’t vegan. Is this a battle I’d pick and choose? I definitely don’t have money to buy my own art supplies at the moment and we are required to fill out feedback forms during group.

I chose to use an Amazon Basics pencil for example, rather than BIC because I know BIC does animal testing whereas I believe Amazon Basics does not, but it’s still unclear whether they’re pencils are vegan. Maybe I should reach out to them?

This is another issue I was oblivious to. I was thinking/hoping that locally grown fruit might not have shellac on it, because it might not be in cold storage for so long. Evidently, this isn't necessarily the case:

What is Shellac?

What is shellac? Shellac is used on fruits on vegetables as a preservative. Find out what it is and how to tell if it has been used.

eatbydate.com

But this article gives some advice about how to tell if something has been treated with shellac. Or, if you are buying from a local farm, you can ask the grower if they use it.

Thank you for the article. I really wish shellac wasn’t used on fruits and veggies. Candy seems easier to avoid that has it. I think, unless somehow I can find non-waxed produce from my local grocery store or maybe a farmer’s market, I think I’m going to have to accept that there’s potential shellac and beeswax on stuff this is the kind of stuff that stresses me out because I want to be vegan and want to honor the definition of veganism.