Is oss vegan?

Oss is a Latin term and pharmaceutical abbreviation meaning bone, derived from the Latin noun os, with the plural ossa. On ingredient labels, particularly for dietary supplements, traditional formulas, and pharmaceuticals, it refers to animal bone tissue or processed bone meal. It is produced by harvesting the skeletal remains of livestock, most frequently cattle, which are cleaned, degreased, dried, and ground into a fine powder or extracted for specific minerals. Manufacturers include this material in calcium supplements, bone density formulations, and animal feeds as a source of calcium and phosphorus.

This ingredient is not vegan because it comes directly from slaughtered animals. Since oss consists of skeletal bone tissue, it has no plant, synthetic, or mineral alternative under this specific name. Products listing oss inherently contain animal-derived parts, making them unsuitable for individuals following a vegan diet.