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I don't think this is that big a deal.

What I think is funny is when an ingredient can both be found in nature (e.g. in the shell of a beetle) or made in a lab, but the generally more expensive and lower quality natural version is chosen so the product can be "all natural."

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I think it's reasonable for it to be a big deal to folks who have made a personal decision (for whatever reason) that they don't want to consume animal products.

Personally, if beaver butt is tasty, that's fine with me, but I respect the desires of other to avoid animal products, and think it's reasonable that such information be clearly disclosed.

Disclaimer: I didn't RTFA, and it's entirely likely this argument was made there.

Second that - for people who make the ethical/moral reason for limiting or abstaining from eating/using animal products, this is quite troubling. Seems like food companies could strike a reasonable middle ground by labeling foods as "containing animal products" whenever they do without giving away any trade secrets.

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