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EU veggie ‘burger’ ban challenged across Europe

Campaign and petition launched by ProVeg International

The European Parliament’s "bizarre" proposal to ban the use of names such as ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ from being used to describe vegetarian and vegan products is being challenged across Europe, with food awareness organisation ProVeg International driving the campaign forward.

The agricultural committee of the European Parliament last month voted in favour of the proposal on grounds that the names are "misleading for consumers". If the proposal is passed into law, vegan and veggie burgers would ave to be re-named, as either ‘discs’ for burgers and sausages would be called ‘tubes’.

ProVeg International has today launched a campaign targeting the proposed ban with a petition calling on the soon-to-be-elected European Parliament to reject the proposal, which it describes as “unnecessary” and “irrational”.

Spokesman for ProVeg UK, Philip Mansbridge said: “There is no evidence to suggest consumers are confused or misled by the current labelling of vegetarian and vegan products.

"To suggest consumers don't understand the meaning of the term ‘veggie burger’ and other similar terms is an insult to their intelligence.

“The use of ‘burger’, ‘sausage’, and ‘milk’ wording on plant-based products actually serves an important function in communicating characteristics consumers are looking for when buying plant-based products, especially in terms of taste and texture. They’ve been used successfully for decades. Why confuse matters?

“The proposed restriction would also unnecessarily restrict manufacturers, producers, and the positive social and environmental changes created by the plant-based market, one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors in the food industry today.”

The petition will be delivered to the European Parliament ahead of the final vote. You can sign the petition here:- https://proveg.com/uk/stop-the-veggie-burger-ban-petition/

(EDITOR: That's Food and Drink is backing this campaign.)

(Image courtesy of Marta Cuesta https://bit.ly/2JihMOc www.pixabay.com)

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"Coconuts are pure poison?" "That's pure nuts!" says expert

Situated on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India and famed for its great beauty, Kerala has been called one of the ’10 paradises in the world’.

In Sanskrit it translates as ‘land of coconuts’ which is where Jacob Thundil, Founder and chief nut of Cocofina was born and raised and where his journey began.

Kerala is, of course, known for its coconuts trees and it was as a young boy he would watch a farmer come to his home and harvest the coconuts from the palms in his garden. Outside of Kerala and wherever he travelled he just could not find any good quality coconut products.

His lightbulb moment arrived in 2004 when he was sat on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro sipping coconut water straight from the nut.

He realised he could bottle the water and sell it and went on from there to become the first in 2005, to start selling coconut water in the UK. Fast forward to 2018 and Cocofina now has a range of 32 products and is sold in close to 30 countries.

Jacob says: “The title of the recent coconut oil news is very sensationalist and dramatic. If coconut oil were pure poison, everyone in Kerala including myself should be dead by now!

"A balanced diet is important and even within the sensationalist article it touches on the fact that there is not enough research to prove the merits of coconut oil since it’s a different kind of saturated fat called MCT. Coconut oil has a respectable place in your kitchen and vanity case. It has a high flash point, great taste and has proven to be a good moisturizer for hair and skin. Personally I use coconut oil, olive oil, rape seed oil & rice bran oil depending on what I am cooking.”

Prof Kay-Tee Khaw and Prof Nita Forouhi from the University of Cambridge along with the BBC, ran an experiment with 100 volunteers over 50 years of age to test the effects of coconut oil on LDL cholesterol. The results of the study although limited in scope was that coconut oil did not raise bad cholesterol, but it increases the levels of good cholesterol.

The proponents of Coconut oil claim that coconut oil is rich in MCTs, which are processed by body differently from other saturated fats. This study has been published in the British medical journal and we hope further studies will be done to throw light on this.

https://www.cocofina.com

That's Food and Drink is grateful for the assistance of Cocofina and Jacob Thundil in the preparation of this article.

Veganism is coming of age, with Vegan Events UK

It can truly be said that Veganism is coming of age!

For example, there's an absolutely stunning and thrilling line-up of Spring Festivals from the UK's acknowledged experts in all things Vegan, Vegan Events UK.

There is genuinely something for everyone at the up-and-coming Vegan Festivals from Vegan Events UK.

These highly popular events, which will be staged at venues all over the UK.

There will be a fantastic feast of delicious foods, masses of friendly, helpful stalls, caterers providing a range of food styles from all over the world, thrilling cookery demos (but all stuff you can try for yourself, at home!) inspirational talks, interactive workshops, yoga and stuff for the kids to do, too! So there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

You'll be able to try an amazing range of foods. There'll be vegan-friendly hot and cold dishes, including Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Greek, Hotdogs, Burgers, Street Food, Raw Food and Gourmet Foods, too!

Enjoy a wonderful range of pies, cakes, chocolates, cookies, doughnuts, sandwiches and salads to take away, plus wonderful alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and lovely juices, smoothies, teas and coffees, too!

There will also be a superb selection of non food stalls at the events. They'll be retailing a wide range of vegan-friendly items including fashion, footwear, jewellery, beauty and skincare products, candles, crafts, clothing, footwear, homeware, gifts and charity merchandise, too!

As well as stalls to look at, you'll be treated to free food samples to tempt your taste buds, too, plus try, live music and much more, besides!

Vegan Events UK organises over 20 of the largest vegan festivals and events all over the UK.

This Spring, you'll find their events happening in Essex, Portsmouth, Shoreditch, Manchester, Glasgow, Leicester, Liverpool, Nottingham and Dorset.

Festival Organiser Victoria Bryceson said: “With the vegan lifestyle starting to go mainstream there’s a massive demand all over the UK for vegan-friendly events. Our festivals are set to be a fantastic day out whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or simply curious. The reasoning behind the festivals is to educate and inform everyone about the vegan lifestyle and offer support to anybody who would like it.”

Victoria’s life has been totally changed by her decision to go vegan, herself. She reports: “I’ve never felt happier and healthier!”

Victoria launched the festivals herself. She had a simple aim, to promote animal welfare and to help people learn more about living a healthier and more ethical lifestyle.

She adds: “There will be animal welfare charities raising awareness of their causes. It's an idea opportunity for those wanting to volunteer for such groups to learn more.”

The festivals operate in conjunction and partnership with animal welfare charities like Miracle's Mission.

“It’s about trying new things and opening your eye to new possibilities,” continues Victoria. “Cutting out meat and dairy is easier than you might presume, many people are searching for more healthy  and ethical lifestyles.

"People want to learn about new, innovative foods and recipes, but, of course,  they want to do it affordably. Our festivals will educate people on how to do all of this.”

The festivals this Spring (2018) will be held at:

• Essex Vegan Festival on Saturday 3rd March

• Portsmouth Vegan Festival on Sunday 4th March

• Shoreditch Viva! Vegan Festival on Saturday 17th March and Sunday 18th March

• Northern Vegan Festival (Manchester) on Saturday 7th April

• Glasgow Vegan Festival on Saturday 14th April and Sunday 15th April

• Leicester Vegan Festival on Saturday 21st April

• Liverpool Vegan Festival on Saturday 5th May

• Nottingham Viva! Vegan Festival on Saturday 12th May

• Dorset Vegan Festival on Sunday 20th May

Entry into each festival is £3 (under 16s are free) and this includes entry to all areas and activities. Standard tickets can be bought at the door on the day. VIP tickets, £15, which includes special fast track entry and a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers can be purchased in advance but please be aware, these are limited abd always sell out quickly. So order yours, now!

www.veganeventsuk.co.uk or www.facebook.com/VeganEventsUK