At Terraseed, transparency, ethics, and scientific integrity guide everything we do. That’s why we’ve taken a bold and intentional step: instead of pursuing traditional vegan certification, we’ve chosen to become Certified Animal-Free. You may be wondering—aren’t those the same thing? Not quite. Let us explain why this distinction matters.
The Limits of "Vegan" in the World of Supplements
The word vegan carries a strong ethical commitment: avoiding all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, as far as possible and practicable. That’s a mission we absolutely stand behind. But when it comes to pharmaceuticals, supplements, and cosmetics, the term vegan can unintentionally obscure the full picture.
Why? Because many ingredients—especially those used in supplements—have historically been tested on animals. Even if they are no longer actively tested today, their safety and regulatory approval may still be based on past animal data. That makes calling these products “100% vegan” complicated and, in many cases, potentially misleading.
According to the organization behind the Animal Free Certification (Pill Clarity), products labeled as vegan may still include ingredients tested on animals prior to a specific cut-off date (e.g., the year 2000, as set by Vegan Action). While this time-bound policy is well-intentioned, it doesn’t fully reflect the ongoing ethical concerns for consumers who wish to avoid any association with animal testing—past or present.
Why Animal Free Certification Sets a New Standard
By choosing the Animal Free Certification, we're holding ourselves to an even higher standard of accountability. This certification means:
✅ No animal-derived ingredients are used—ever.
✅ Every ingredient is independently verified, with the manufacturer contacted directly.
✅ Where applicable, lab testing is conducted to confirm ingredient origin.
✅ Cultural, ethical, and religious considerations (e.g., vegetarianism, Hinduism, Jainism) are respected.
This rigorous approach ensures our products are not just free from animal ingredients—they’re aligned with a deeper, more transparent ethos of cruelty-free integrity.
Clearer Language for Better Trust
Another reason we prefer the term animal-free over vegan is that it better communicates our values in the specific context of supplements and pharmaceuticals. The general public—and even some healthcare providers—are often unaware that many medications and supplements contain animal ingredients like gelatin, lanolin, or stearic acid. In fact, studies have shown that 84% of patients don’t realize this, and over 60% want their healthcare providers to inform them when animal-derived ingredients are involved.
This highlights a major gap in transparency—one we aim to help close by advocating for clearer labeling, honest marketing, and ethical sourcing.
It’s Not About Perfection. It’s About Progress
Our decision isn’t about criticizing vegan certifications. Organizations like Vegan Action have done invaluable work in pushing the industry forward. But for us, Animal Free Certification better reflects the real-world complexities of supplement formulation—especially in a regulatory environment that still relies heavily on animal-tested data.
We believe people deserve clear, honest information about what’s in their products—and how those ingredients came to be. That’s the kind of trust we want to build with you.
Join Us in the Animal-Free Movement
Choosing Animal Free Certification is part of a larger mission: to help build a world where science, ethics, and sustainability go hand-in-hand. It’s about empowering you to make informed choices that align with your values—without compromising your health or the planet.
We’re proud to be part of a growing movement that’s raising the bar for accountability in the supplement industry. And we’re excited to have you with us on this journey.
Together, we can go beyond labels and build a truly animal-free future.