animalproduct

Animal products are goods derived from animals. The term is used across the food, textile, cosmetics, and other industries. Common animal products include edible items such as meat, dairy, and eggs; as well as non-edible goods such as leather, wool, silk, gelatin, beeswax, and chitin-based materials. Some inputs, like collagen and keratin, are used in supplements and cosmetics. The category also encompasses by-products produced during animal agriculture or processing, such as bristles, bones, and fats.

Animal products originate from domesticated or wild animals. Food products involve slaughter, milking, egg collection, and processing to preserve or refine. Non-food products require specialized processes: tanning hides for leather; spinning fibers from wool or silkworm cocoons; rendering fats; refining gelatin from collagen; refining beeswax. Some products involve aquaculture.

Regulatory oversight varies by country. In foods, safety and labeling rules cover nutrition, allergen declarations, and country of origin. Non-food products are regulated for product safety and labeling; animal welfare considerations influence sourcing. Agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set standards; industry bodies issue guidelines.

Animal product production has environmental footprints, including greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, and pollution. Ethical debates focus on animal welfare, animal rights, and sustainability. There is growing consumer interest in alternatives, such as plant-based products and cultured meat, and in transparent supply chains.

Animal products play a significant role in many cuisines and traditional crafts, and support various industries and rural economies. Global trade lines connect producers with processors and retailers. The term "animal products" is sometimes contrasted with plant-based or synthetic alternatives in policy and market discussions.