Govt response to petition
We have recieved a response from the UK Govt. on the subject of facillitating a Legal Definition of the word Vegan for labelling purposes.
The UK Govt. have agreed there is a framework within Technical Standards Directive 98/34/EC for introducing a national standard as there is with Organic but wish to wait to see how well the voluntary guidelines introduced by the FSA have been utilised. Meanwhile the overburdened Trading Standards officers have little legal backing when prosecuting manufacturers for including animal ingredients in products marked for vegetarian and vegan consumers.
Here is the UK Government response:
The Government are aware of consumers' concern over honest labelling, particularly in regard to the use of the terms 'vegetarian' and 'vegan'. After meeting with representatives of consumers, industry, enforcement, several religious groups and the Vegetarian and Vegan Societies and following a full public consultation, the Food Standards Agency published Guidance on the Use of the Terms 'Vegetarian' and 'Vegan' in Food Labelling in April 2006. The Guidance aims to assist manufacturers, retailers and caterers to use the terms in a consistent way, which in turn will make it easier for consumers to understand.
The guidance is best practice advice and it remains the decision of the manufacturer whether or not to make this declaration if their product fulfils the criteria in the guidance.
Any labelling of food or drink products as 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' is voluntary. However, consumers are protected by general legal provisions outlawing false or misleading labelling in UK legislation. The Food Safety Act 1990 (as amended), the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, and Article 16 of European Union Regulation 178/2002/EC must be complied with if such labelling is used.
It may be possible for the UK to introduce national measures regarding labelling with the terms 'vegetarian' or 'vegan', subject to the notification and acceptance procedures set out in the Technical Standards Directive 98/34/EC. However, we wish to see whether voluntary criteria as set out in the guidance published in 2006 are effective in improving labelling and increasing consumer confidence. The guidance will be subject to periodic review.
In answer to MiV / Foods for Life petition.
Vegan Labelling - Vegan Nutrition - New Product Development
"The Government has confirmed there is no legal definition of 'Vegan' or 'vegetarian' in the EU or UK. We call upon the Govt to draw up a framework using the model of 'Organic' and The Indian Government's experiences to create a legal definition for 'vegan' and 'vegetarian'."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Paul McCartney on ITV ITN News at Ten
ITV - Paul McCartney on ITN News at 10
Paul McCartney is interviewed by ITN News at Ten to draw attention to The United Nations Livestock's Long Shadow Report and how veganism can help to save the planet from catastrophe.
He's been veggie for 30 years but says that the fact that meat eating experts at The United Nations have now admitted cattle rearing is devastating the planet and more harmful to the planet than the effects of all cars and planes, many more ordinary people should sit up and listen.
Sir Paul credits Linda McCartney with turning the family vegetarian but apparently she said it was his decision, Sir Paul said Linda said "it was you that said it you know!"
Sir Paul sidestepped talking about his second wife's long term vegetarianism but she is now vegan and campaigning with UK vegetarian charity Viva!
He admit's despite all the clear evidence that a veggie lifestyle is better for the planet and better for health, people are unlikely to change overnight.
The repercussions if we don't change will be catastrophic for the planet, no habitable land , no water, no clean air - what sort of legacy is that to leave our children.
See the whole Paul McCartney interview on ITN News at 10
Famous Vegans
Vote now in the 2008 Vegan Awards
See reports
CIWF - UN Report - ViVA - The Vegan Society
Paul McCartney is interviewed by ITN News at Ten to draw attention to The United Nations Livestock's Long Shadow Report and how veganism can help to save the planet from catastrophe.He's been veggie for 30 years but says that the fact that meat eating experts at The United Nations have now admitted cattle rearing is devastating the planet and more harmful to the planet than the effects of all cars and planes, many more ordinary people should sit up and listen.
Sir Paul credits Linda McCartney with turning the family vegetarian but apparently she said it was his decision, Sir Paul said Linda said "it was you that said it you know!"
Sir Paul sidestepped talking about his second wife's long term vegetarianism but she is now vegan and campaigning with UK vegetarian charity Viva!
He admit's despite all the clear evidence that a veggie lifestyle is better for the planet and better for health, people are unlikely to change overnight.
The repercussions if we don't change will be catastrophic for the planet, no habitable land , no water, no clean air - what sort of legacy is that to leave our children.
See the whole Paul McCartney interview on ITN News at 10
Famous Vegans
Vote now in the 2008 Vegan Awards
See reports
CIWF - UN Report - ViVA - The Vegan Society
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Ethical Guide for Conscious Consumers
New Ethical Junction Guide: ETHICAL GUIDE FOR THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER
If ever there was a good time for your business or group to join Ethical Junction an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical businesses and organisations it's now.
Quite frankly it's hard to understand why you haven't already joined Ethical Junction! It's only £50 (to cover the screening costs and admin fees), it's got Co-op backing, it's got a Google rating of 6/10, you get to exploit Ethical Pulse their online News service and if all that weren't enough (are you omega 3 DHA and EPA deficient?) now they are planning to publish an ethical guide called The Ethical Guide for the Conscious Consumer.
Read More on Ethical News at Ethical Pulse
Join here
Apply to contribute to the Ethical guide
Visit Ethical Junction see who's who
If ever there was a good time for your business or group to join Ethical Junction an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical businesses and organisations it's now. Quite frankly it's hard to understand why you haven't already joined Ethical Junction! It's only £50 (to cover the screening costs and admin fees), it's got Co-op backing, it's got a Google rating of 6/10, you get to exploit Ethical Pulse their online News service and if all that weren't enough (are you omega 3 DHA and EPA deficient?) now they are planning to publish an ethical guide called The Ethical Guide for the Conscious Consumer.
Read More on Ethical News at Ethical Pulse
Join here
Apply to contribute to the Ethical guide
Visit Ethical Junction see who's who
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
manashantii.com - Vegan Poetry
manashantii.com
Are you ready for this?
MANASHANTII = AFRICAN, VEGAN, BUDDHIST, HUMANIST, WRITER'S WEBSITE - There's an oxymoron in there somewhere struggling to break free I feel sure.
Manashantii reveals herself as a vegan feminist, born in Accra,the capital of Ghana who came to London aged nine. She believes in putting her faith and trust in humanity first before Religion or God and practicing love, peace, understanding and Buddhist meditation.
Some of the women she admires are Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Nawal El Saadawi, Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Toni Morrison, Jhelisa Anderson and Amel Larrieux.
The men she admires most are Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr. Bhante Buddharakkhita,Thich Nhat Hahn,Russell Simmons, Ajahn Karuniko and of course Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso).
Are you ready for this?
MANASHANTII = AFRICAN, VEGAN, BUDDHIST, HUMANIST, WRITER'S WEBSITE - There's an oxymoron in there somewhere struggling to break free I feel sure.
Manashantii reveals herself as a vegan feminist, born in Accra,the capital of Ghana who came to London aged nine. She believes in putting her faith and trust in humanity first before Religion or God and practicing love, peace, understanding and Buddhist meditation.
Some of the women she admires are Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Nawal El Saadawi, Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Toni Morrison, Jhelisa Anderson and Amel Larrieux.
The men she admires most are Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jnr. Bhante Buddharakkhita,Thich Nhat Hahn,Russell Simmons, Ajahn Karuniko and of course Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso).
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Natalie Portman Vegan Shoe Line
Natalie Portman Vegan Shoe Line » Right Celebrity
Vegan Shoe Bunny Natalie Portman seems to have ripped off her former shoe saviour Natalie Dean from Beyond Skin and teamed up with Te Cesan shoes and designed a collection of her very own vegan shoes. Not only are the shoes Vegan, but 5% of all the profits will be donated to charity.
Natalie P will have to go a long way to beat Natalie D's range if you ask me. You didn't? Hey ho.
Vegan Shoe Bunny Natalie Portman seems to have ripped off her former shoe saviour Natalie Dean from Beyond Skin and teamed up with Te Cesan shoes and designed a collection of her very own vegan shoes. Not only are the shoes Vegan, but 5% of all the profits will be donated to charity.Natalie P will have to go a long way to beat Natalie D's range if you ask me. You didn't? Hey ho.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Skinny Bitch and Vegan
Vegan Hero - Skinny Bitch
These ' skinny Bitches ' mean business. They have sold 850,000 copies of their vegan diet book ' skinny bitch ' (they even sold one to Victoria Beckham - Queen Skinny Bitch)
Their new vegan book, a cook book ' skinny bitch in the kitch ' seems set to do just as well.
“We really want everyone to stop doing all this stupid math,” Ms. Freedman said. “Just stuff yourself with things that are good for you, and you will be fine.”
Laboring heroically to make a vegan diet seem like the simplest thing in the world, Ms. Freedman said: “We are normal girls. We like reality TV and purses, all the fun stuff. But we just happen to know that most of what normal girls put in their bodies on a daily basis is barely even food.”
Vegan Cook Book
These ' skinny Bitches ' mean business. They have sold 850,000 copies of their vegan diet book ' skinny bitch ' (they even sold one to Victoria Beckham - Queen Skinny Bitch)
Their new vegan book, a cook book ' skinny bitch in the kitch ' seems set to do just as well.
“We really want everyone to stop doing all this stupid math,” Ms. Freedman said. “Just stuff yourself with things that are good for you, and you will be fine.”
Laboring heroically to make a vegan diet seem like the simplest thing in the world, Ms. Freedman said: “We are normal girls. We like reality TV and purses, all the fun stuff. But we just happen to know that most of what normal girls put in their bodies on a daily basis is barely even food.”
Vegan Cook Book
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