A Stout Challenge
February 28
As March the 17th
approaches, The Vegetarian Society would like to issue a challenge to brewers
of stout. At
present, none of the major
producers have a product which isn't fined with animal derived material. In our quest for improved choice for vegetarians, we are challenging the major brewers of stout, pub chains and retailers to provide a nationally available product that everyone can drink and enjoy by St Patrick's
Day 2003. The Vegetarian Society is happy to give further advice on products
or ingredients and will work with any company to find suitable alternatives,
call 0161 925 2000. Any company's product meeting the challenge successfully
will receive a year's free approval from The Vegetarian Society.
The use of animal derived products in the production of alcoholic beverages is fairly widespread, although many alternatives do exist.
It is not easy to find out whether alcoholic drinks are suitable for vegetarians.
A clause in the 1984 Food Labelling Regulations excludes from the 1984 Food Act
all drinks with an alcohol content exceeding 1.2% by volume (ABV), so only
very low or non-alcoholic beers, wines and ciders are required to list all ingredients.
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 were 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 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 the week's activities, The Vegetarian Society will be hosting the 35th World
Vegetarian Congress, Food for all our Futures, in Edinburgh.
Ends
Notes to editors
The
Vegetarian Society ( Registered Charity No. 259358). For more information,
interviews or help -- please contact Su Taylor, Press Officer, on 0161 925
2012 (su@vegsoc.org) or Samantha Calvert,
Head of Marketing and Public Relations, on 0161 925 2013 (sam@vegsoc.org)
Out of office
hours The Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108165
(Su) or 07973
108167 (Sam), or visit www.vegsoc.org
Breweries still use isinglass to clear the materials held in suspension
in beers. Isinglass is derived from the swim bladders of certain tropical
fish - making
the product not suitable for vegetarians.
For more information on vegetarian beers and wines call 0161 925 2000.
Or visit www.vegsoc.org/directory and
look in the beer and wine section for online information.
Food and Drink Expo 2002 (17-20 March). Come
along and visit The Vegetarian Society at stand J55.products
during food production. No other symbol gives consumers
Press Officer press@vegsoc.org
For the latest Vegetarian Society press releases visit www.vegsoc.org
The Vegetarian Society
Direct line - 0161 925 2012
Out of office hours: 07973 108165
Fax 0161 926 9182
Registered Charity: 259358
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