Cows, gorillas, and elephants are all vegetarians and they do not take B12 supplements either. The human digestive system differs from that of an elephant or gorilla. Furthermore, elephants ingest soil and their young eat their mother s dung. Gorillas also ingest soil and feces, as well as insects and other invertebrates. This could explain how they get B12.
Human digestion differs even further from the digestive systems of ruminants.
Conversely, most humans in western cultures are not able to absorb the B12 produced by bacteria in their intestinal tracts. I am disappointed that Vegan Outreach would choose to portray the vegan diet as unnatural by saying that vegans need to take supplements. The U.S. food supply is routinely fortified with vitamins B1, B2, B3, iron, folic acid, vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin C, and iodine. In the early part of this century, goiter was a common problem in the U.S. in places where the soil did not contain much iodine. This continued until salt started being iodized and food started being transported throughout the country.