Vegetarian Society Gives seal of approval to 'Fish' Fingers for National Vegetarian Week

July 2002

Although vegetarians do not eat any fish or fish products, The Vegetarian Society is encouraging the nation's veggies to treat themselves and their friends to a taste of the ocean this National Vegetarian Week - with tasty 'fish' fingers.

The Vegetarian Society has given its stamp of approval, in time for National Vegetarian Week (8 - 14 July), to the new Vegetarian Breaded Fish-Style Fingers from the award-winning Redwood Company, producers of the popular Cheatin' meats range.

With all the taste of the ocean but totally free from fish, Fish-Style Fingers can be ready in minutes - perfect for busy parents with families to feed in a hurry. Great for veggies and vegans, they're good news too for people who'd rather not eat fish because they're worried about over-fishing - and the threat it causes to cod and hake stocks.

Vegetarian Society Chief Executive, Tina Fox, commented,
"We hope that these Fish-Style Fingers from Redwood's will encourage the 7% of the population that eat fish but no other type of meat in their diet to finally make the move to a more compassionate, healthy and environmentally friendly way of life. These 'fishless fingers' are great news for dolphins - and fish!"

Part of Redwood's new Making Waves range, Vegetarian Breaded Fish-Style
Fingers are made from soya and wheat protein and cost £2.49 for 215g. You'll find them in good health food stores, including Holland & Barrett.

The Vegetarian Society's 'approved trademark ' was established in 1969. Since then it has become the most widely recognised and trusted stamp of vegetarian approval anywhere in the world. The symbol can be found on a huge range of products, including retail food and drinks, catering supplies, household goods, cosmetics and toiletries.

The strength of the symbol is based on products meeting four firm criteria: Products have to be free of animal flesh, meat or bone stock, animal carcass fats, gelatine, aspic or any other products resulting from slaughter. Approval will only be granted to products or ingredients not tested on animals since 1986, any eggs used in products must be free-range. In 1998 the criteria was modified to exclude genetically modified organisms as these will generally have been tested on animals.

The Society also requires that cross contamination does not occur between vegetarian and non-vegetarian products during food production. No other symbol gives consumers such reassurance and inspires the trust that comes from the Vegetarian Society approved symbol.

The Vegetarian Society, is the oldest vegetarian organisation in the world. It offers an independent voice able to promote and provide information on vegetarianism.

National Vegetarian Week 2002 will run from the 8th ~ 14th July. As part of theweek's activities, The Vegetarian Society will be hosting the 35th World Vegetarian Congress, Food for all our Futures, in Edinburgh.

Ends/

For further information, please contact:

Sam Calvert, Head of Marketing & PR at The Vegetarian Society on 0161 925 2013 or sam@vegsoc.org Out of hours on 0161 925 2013.

Redwood Company

Jeremy King or Redwood PR
The Redwood Company Tracey Williams
Tel: 01536 400557 Tel: 01225 723237
info@redwoodfoods.co.uk twpr@compuserve.com

Notes to editors

Press Officer press@vegsoc.org
For the latest Vegetarian Society press releases visit www.vegsoc.org
The Vegetarian Society
Direct line - 0161 925 2012
Fax 0161 926 9182
Registered Charity: 259358

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