7 Commonly held myths exposed in living Cruelty Free

1. Cosmetics must be tested on animals by law.

This is not the case, but is something cosmetics companies may say to explain away their animal testing. Only in China was it ever legally necessary to test cosmetics on animals. However this only applied to cosmetics intended for the Chinese market and not made in China for sale in other countries. 

In 2014, this changed and cosmetics in China no longer have to be tested on animals. This doesn't mean they won't be tested on animals. 

2. There’s nothing we can do to prevent child labour.

Yes, there is. If we buy Fairtrade (Fair Trade certified in the USA) the producers or workers are paid a fair wage/sum for their work or goods. This will mean that adult workers are used and not children.

The barbaric practice of mulesing for merino wool

3. Wool is cruelty free.

This is not the case. Wool may come from animals that end up in the slaughterhouse. Most of the world’s merino wool comes from Australia where lambs and sheep and chunks of flesh cut away to prevent them from getting fly strike. As you can imagine, this is agonising for the sheep. Farmers could breed fly strike resistant sheep instead, but refuse to do this.

4. There’s nothing we can do to stop domestic slavery.  

If you suspect someone is being treated as a domestic slave and ill-treated then you should contact the police. Everyone has a right to work and be paid a decent wage and to not face physical or mental abuse. Employers also have NO right to hold onto their employee’s passports.

5. All free-range eggs are the same.

This is not the case. It depends on what country you live in what degree free-range eggs are well, free range. For instance, in the USA hens can spend as little as five minutes outside and still have their eggs labelled as free-range. In the UK, eggs from these hens would not be called free-range.

6. Its difficult to be vegetarian or vegan.

Not true. It has never been easier to stop eating meat and animal products like milk and eggs. Soy (soya) milk is readily available and so are egg replacers.

7. There’s nothing we can do to change the world we live in, we are just one person.

We can all make a difference with the choices we make. For instance, only buying Fairtrade or ethical goods, telling companies we refuse to shop in them if their products are tested on animals or they sell fur and looking out for our neighbours.  

For more truths, check out Living Cruelty Free: Live a More Compassionate Life.