Red Tractor Drives Roughshod On Animal Wellfare

Red Tractor Happy Meat is an Oxymoron


PM helps launch Red Tractor Day Downing Street Reports:

Tony Blair has backed a scheme which helps shoppers easily find UK-produced fresh food.

He helped launch "Red Tractor Day" as a full-size red tractor pulled in Downing Street.

The scheme allows producers to use a distinctive logo on packs of food which meet its strict set of criteria.

These standards cover animal welfare, food transport, processing and packing.

Mr Blair said:

"Six years ago I helped launch the Red Tractor logo. Last year it appeared on over £5bn worth of food.

The Red Tractor scheme claims it's Farmers must care for their animals by following the Five Freedoms welfare code (freedom from hunger & thirst; discomfort; pain, injury or disease; fear or distress; freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour).

This doesn't mean what you'd think it means - for example 'normal patterns of behaviour only mean normal for an animal caged and trapped with little or no light or mental and physical stimulation and deprived to fulfil basic intincts such as caring for their young and running or making a nest.

One look at the Red Tractor farms exposed by Hillside Animal Sanctuary show this scheme to by a farce and meaningless when it comes to animal welfare. Health seems to only apply to health that would endanger human life not the health of the animals (vetinary bills are expensive)



www.hillside.org.uk

Bernard Matthews Battered Turkey in Bird Baseball Horror

Bernard Mathews THE BIRD BATTERER: "By Jeremy Armstrong
TURKEYS at a Bernard Matthews farm were thrown in the air and battered with a pole in scenes of 'appalling cruelty' filmed by undercover investigators. "

The footage was taken by an undercover investigator from Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Frettenham, Norfolk. He secretly filmed the farm workers on Friday in the shed, which holds thousands of birds for Bernard Matthews' multi-million pound empire.

The investigator, a 50-year-old cameraman who has worked extensively for the BBC, Channel 4 and newspapers over the past nine years, said: "This is by far the worst cruelty that I have witnessed. When he hit the birds it made a terrible sound. It was sickening."

It is not the first time alleged cruelty has been exposed at a farm run by Bernard Matthews, famed for his catchphrase "Boo tiful, really bootiful" and Turkey Twizzlers slated by TV chef Jamie Oliver in his crusade for healthier children's food.

Bernard Mathews was reported as having to take a massive paycut down from £1million to £595 million as he borrowed £130 million to buy out other shareholders after profits dropped 15% from £46 million to £39 million per year.

The Turkey Batterer Bird Baseball Video footage can be seen on Sky news - more info and footage at Hillside Animal Sanctuary

Vegan diets better for planet & people

Vegan diets better for planet and people: CHICAGO, April 13 (AScribe Newswire) -- The food that people eat is just as important as what kind of cars they drive when it comes to creating the greenhouse-gas emissions that many scientists have linked to global warming, according to a report accepted for publication in the journal Earth Interactions.

Both the burning of fossil fuels during food production and non-carbon dioxide emissions associated with livestock and animal waste contribute to the problem, the University of Chicago's Gidon Eshel and Pamela Martin wrote in the report.

The average American diet requires the production of an extra ton and a half of carbon dioxide-equivalent, in the form of actual carbon dioxide as well as methane and other greenhouse gases compared to a strictly vegetarian diet

In their study, Eshel and Martin compared the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions that underlie five diets: average American, red meat, fish, poultry and vegetarian (including eggs and dairy), all equaling 3,774 calories per day.
The vegetarian diet turned out to be the most energy-efficient, followed by poultry and the average American diet. Fish and red meat virtually tied as the least efficient.
The impact of producing fish came as the study's biggest surprise to Martin, an Assistant Professor in Geophysical Sciences. 'Fish can be from one extreme to the other,' Martin said. Sardines and anchovies flourish near coastal areas and can be harvested with minimal energy expenditure. But swordfish and other large predatory species required energy-intensive long-distance voyages.
Martin and Eshel's research indicated that plant-based diets are healthier for people as well as for the planet. "

Toxins in Fish Oils Omega 3 Fatty Acid

Fish Oil contains cancerous toxins

April 12 Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror confirm that Boots has withdrawn supplies of its own-brand Super Strength Fish Oil Capsules because of illegally high levels of dioxins.

Secret Society of Vegans - The Truth

Finally uncovered The secret society of vegans are finally exposed!

The Secret Society of Vegans started by vegans at a secret date at a secret location by a secret group of bvegans was thought to be merely an urban myth - a practical joke playing on the paranoia of the world's meat producers.

In the greatest of vegan ironies the Secret Society of Vegans has jumped right out of the clothes closet and released the secret address of their vegan website.

Enter at your own risk - don't tell a soul!

Vegan Chocolate for heart health

Telegraph | News | It's time for your tablets. . . and your chocolate

It's time for your tablets. . . and your chocolate
By Marco Giannangeli 10/04/2006

Heart patients at a leading hospital will be treated with chocolate if a revolutionary experiment is given approval.

Roger Corder, a professor of experimental therapeutics, is so convinced of the possible benefits of consuming dark chocolate that he has asked for permission to test the theory as part of the treatment for 40 cardiovascular patients.

For The World's Healthiest Chocolate see Vegan Chocolate at Plamil Foods made by the UK's Vegan Willy Wonka (Pictures)

Vegetarian & Vegan labelling guidance from FSA

Vegetarian and Vegan labelling guidance from The Food Standards Agency

New UK guidance on food labelling for vegans and vegetarians builds on growing consumer demand for non-meat ingredients.

The guidance, drawn up by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) after consultation with stakeholders including The Vegetarian Society and The Vegan Society, will provide criteria for the use of the terms 'vegetarian' and 'vegan' on food labels for the first time.
The FSA estimates that there are 3.5 million vegetarians and 0.25 million vegans in the UK. The guidance is designed to make it easier for these consumers to identify the products that are suitable for them.

It also aims to prevent some common mistakes by companies such as labelling drink or food that has been derived from animal products or fish as suitable for 'vegans' and 'vegetarians'.

"There has been a lot of confusion over the use of the terms 'vegetarian' and 'vegan' on food labels both in the retail and catering sectors," said Dr Richard Harding, head of the FSA's consumer choice, food standards and special projects division.

For more information and help on Vegetarian and Vegan Labelling see PEA PR

BBQ meat causes cancer?

Healthy Eating , Nutrition and Health News

Barbecue Meat May Cause Prostate Cancer - April 8, 2006

A study presented at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research linked eating charred meat with a higher risk of prostate cancer.

World's First Vegan Fried Egg (with Omega 3 DHA and EPA) April Fool

World's First Vegan Fried Egg (with Omega 3 DHA and EPA)

(April Fool's Press Release)




In the last few months husband and wife team Yvonne and Tony Bishop-Weston from vegan cookbook Vegan (Hamlyn $9.72) have brought us, the world's healthiest vegan chocolate with hemp (sugar free), the world's first vegan omega 3 DHA and EPA rich oil and now the world's first vegan fried egg.

London Nutritionist Yvonne says "Healthy fried eggs are something we've been working on for some time, we wanted it to be delicious and nutritious, now we've cracked it!"

Foods For Life joined forces with the Kings of vegan innovation, the multi-award winning vegan food company Redwoods Wholefoods.

The Vegan fried egg, called Sunny Side Up tm , will be available in Sainsburys, Tescos and Walmart (£4.99 - $8.99) as part of a Traditional British Breakfast pack that contains a vegan fried egg, ready fried vegan sausage, vegan rasher, sautéed mushrooms, Heinz baked beans, and melted vegan cheese on a toasted crumpet.

"The Vegan Fried Egg Breakfast will perfectly complement our other ready meal, Celebration Roast, that has slices of vegan turkey, vegan sausages wrapped in vegan bacon, and instant vegan giblet gravy" says Keith Stott "Just add veg!"

The Vegan fried egg has been made with a special blend of tofu for the egg white and a Jamaican fruit called Ackee for the egg yolk. "The final icing on the vegan cake was the new vegan omega 3 oil with DHA and EPA made from algae called V-Pure that gives the egg a perfect nutritional breakdown of essential fats and amino acids" says Yvonne.

Redwoods new Technical Director Fritz D'Embrio said "We have market tested Sunny Side Up tm in transport cafes on the M1 and truck drivers have been unable to detect the difference. Time and time again the feedback was 'That's the best healthy breakfast we've ever tasted!'"

"These vegan eggs can also easily be mashed with a fork with a little vegan mayonnaise and oil to make the most delicious vegan scrambled eggs !" adds Tony.

Joe King from the UK Vegan Society said " These vegan eggs will make a lot of hens very happy and make the great British bed and breakfast experience much more enjoyable for a great many more people. It's about time we were offered more than just porridge and beans on toast"

A spokesperson from Vegetarian Visitor the no 1 annual guide to vegetarian and vegan B&Bs , hotels, and vegetarian restaurants said "This will make life a lot easier for chefs - we expect to see our guide double in size by next year if this takes off"

EDITORS NOTES

http://www.redwoodfoods.co.uk
http://www.foodsforlife.org.uk
http://www.vegan-cookbook.com
omega 3 fatty acid
http://www.vegetarianvisitor.co.uk
http://www.plamilfoods.co.uk/nas.htm
Picture http://highland-guesthouse.co.uk/vegan-breakfast.jpg

Vegan diets for weightloss & weight management

In the latest research by Oxford university as part of the European EPIC Study they found more evidence that a vegan diet is the one you should aim for for health.

"Lowest weight gain was seen among those who,
during follow-up, had changed to a diet containing fewer animal
foods."

vegan cookbook anyone?

World's first vegan EPA DHA omega 3

A new Vegan DHA EPA omega 3 product has been launched to coincide with Natural Health Week

A Swiss company beat off big boy competition from companies such as Martek to provide the worlds first alternative to endangered fish stocks and give us a credible plant based omega 3 solution to DHA and EPA shortages.

Contact for more info about omega 3 Vegetarian EPA DHA product Vegetarian Omega 3

Vegetarian / Vegan EFA DHA EPA Study

Press Release - World's first Vegetarian DHA EPA from algae.

vegetarian omega 3 DHA EPA

Problems converting omega 3 essential fats - omega 3 LNA to DHA and EPA

Vegetarian / vegan Omega 3 DHA EPA Buy Now! 3 for 2 offer!

NB If you are searching for Water4life , Eau + , V Pure , you are advised to go direct to  NuIQue

vegetarians & Vegans in Liverpool - Paul McCartneys Home Town

I guess it was only a matter of time before (one of the most famous veggies in the world) Paul McCartney's home town Liverpool marked itself on the world map of growing veganism. With a guide to eating out in Liverpool and an opportunity to chat and have your picture posted it's only a matter of time before more even more scouse vegans come out of the closet.

Here's what the Liverpudlians say about their new website and blog.

ScouseVeg: "ScouseVeg is a social and campaigning group for vegetarians and vegans in and around Liverpool, Merseyside and the Wirral. We hold regular meetings - pub evenings, meals out, parties, pot luck suppers and other activities and events. The group is open to everyone - all ages, singles, couples, and families. So, something for everyone, and everyone is welcome!"


To the residents of Liverpool we say "Follow the McCartney family's lead - eat more vegan food, drink more vegan food and enjoy yourself as you make a difference to people, animals and the planet" - www.news.for-vegans.co.uk

Center of Consumer Freedom Says Vegan diet can raise the dead

"vegan diets can cure the blind, heal the lame, and restore life to the dead"

The Center for Consumer Freedom seem to have really lost it now. As more and more conscious consumers adopt a vegan diet ex steak and ale lobiest and anti vegetarian Rick Berman seems to be really loosing it.

Perhaps he should see a good Harley Street Nutritionist ??

More Reasons for Morrisons - Vegan Wine

Scotsman.com News - Features - Veggie wines would definitely get the thumbs-up from Sir Paul McCartney

Morrisons have joined Coop in taking the step to clearly label which of their wines are pure enough for people on vegan diets.

Vegetarians - and vegans, in particular - are concerned about some of the substances used as fining agents.

These include gelatine, isinglass, egg albumen, casein, chitosan and bentonite. Gelatine is made from animal protein, isinglass is made up of collagen fibres from the air bladders of fish; egg albumen is, of course, egg whites, casein is the primary protein in milk, and chitosan is derived from the shells of crustaceans.

Thankfully for veggies, the vast majority of wines these days are fined using bentonite (Fullers Earth) a mineral, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Morrisons have taken the situation on board by highlighting in their price list whether every wine on their stocks is "safe" for veggies and vegans. A massive task, but all part of the service.


Vegetarian Wines

McDonalds Fries with Dairy + Wheat Not Vegan

McDonalds Fries with Dairy + Wheat Not Vegan

CHICAGO - Not long after disclosing that its french fries contain more trans fat than thought, McDonald's Corp. said Monday that wheat and dairy ingredients are used to flavor the popular menu item - an acknowledgment it had not previously made.

Yahoo news

Dutch to cull 3,500 pigs over dioxin

Dutch to cull 3,500 pigs over dioxin : "The Netherlands will cull about 3,500 pigs after the carcinogen dioxin was found in animal feed, announced the Dutch food safety authority VWA "

Pig fat with high levels of dioxin was an ingredient in their pig feed - Food safety officials have said the contamination came from a gelatin-making process at Belgian firm PB Gelatins.

You would think that the Meat and farming industry would learn from the BSE tragedy that turning animals into cannibals is a mistake. Cheap waste products in is a recipe for disaster.

Author of the Vegan cookbook by Hamlyn Tony Bishop-Weston said

Ironically it is probably the farming industry itself that has most contributed to the rise in popularity of the vegan diet over recent years. Time and time again Farmers vindicate the logical arguments of pro vegan organisations

Healthy Heart and Fertility for Valentine's Day? 'Eat More Vegan Food' Says London Nutritionist

Healthy Heart and Fertility for Valentine's Day? 'Eat More Vegan Food' Says London Nutritionist

London Nutritionist and author Yvonne Bishop-Weston strongly criticised the vegetarian food manufacturing industry and caterers last year for producing vegetarian and vegan foods that could do more harm than good.

At a series of meetings such as The Food and Drink Federation's Vegetarian and Vegan meat free manufacturers group she told the industry that the hydrogenated trans fats had to go.

"The public perception of vegetarian food was that it was far healthier than the meat dishes but often vegetarian options were laden with cheese and hydrogenated fat - healthiness just wasn't the reality" says Yvonne.

"In my clinics around London I often see the problems related to too much highly processed saturated fat in the diet and not enough essential fats such as omega 3 and 6. Essential fats are called essential for good reasonl, they are essential for the optimum health of nearly all bodily functions particularly brain, heart and fertility"

It seems the industry has listened and there has been widespread re formulating and relabelling of vegetarian and vegan products.Recipes for vegan sausages and the notorious Holland & Barrett vegan pork pies have been revised and hydrogenated fat has been substituted with more natural forms of oil.

Vegan Food 2006

Condemnation National Vegetarian Week 2005

Vegan Dairy Free Heaven For Chocolate Loving Veggie Valentines

Plamil Offer Dairy Free Heaven For Chocolate Loving Valentines

There's no longer any reason for chocoholics to miss out on chocolate delights on Valentines day.

UK Based Plamil Foods a vegan speciality chocolate & food manufacturer in the seaside town of Folkestone have all the answers for chocolate lovers who want healthy choices.

Not just cocoa rich dairy free chocolate in many different flavours such as mint, hazlenut, orange, chilli but also a range of delicious carob bars too.

They also have some knee trembling deliciously naughty chocolate spreads that are perfect for valentines day.

Vegan Willy Wonka , MD of Plamil and chocolate magician Adrian Ling says "Our customers have told us that the Plamil chocolate spreads are perfect for painting onto your loved one and making a delicious alternative to bread, biscuits muffins or cake. Because they are just chocolate and free from milk they are suitable for everyone and leave your skin lovely and soft afterwards"

National Natural Health Week

Natural Health Week get involved in Natural Health Week - A great fun opportunity to highlight the benefits of a healthy vegetarian/vegan lifestyle to new people.

Red Meat Cancer Link

Red meat and Bowel Cancer Study

EATING red meat alters your DNA and may lead to an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, scientists said yesterday.

Chemical compounds formed while digesting meat can cause DNA to mutate and increase the likelihood of cancerous cells developing.