Used for decades in cooking and baking, gelatin may sound innocent enough.

Though its origins sound very unappealing, gelatin is a common thickening agent.

Some people may not even realize the origins of gelatin and do not disclose it as an animal byproduct.

Woman holding fist up smiling

To prevent any trouble later on, it’s always best to check exactly what you’re eating.

Remember, if a dessert looks particularly shiny, it probably has gelatin in it.

Gelatin can be tricky to avoid, as it is used in many popular and common sweets and dishes.

Woman holding up gummy bears

brands like Haribo (viaLivekindly).

In fact, it can be found in beauty and hair products like shampoo and face masks.

Finally, if you’re a wine connoisseur, you may be startled to learn some wines contain gelatin.

Cake with gelatin top

This varies from bottle to bottle, so a simple ingredient checklist should prevent any mishaps.