I often find my self browsing the grocery store and finding products labeled “vegetarian”, when I look closer at the ingredients I realize that the product is actually vegan. I also find my self in situations where I am trying to find something to order in a non vegan restraunt and find an item on the menu labeled as vegetarian that is actually vegan. After this occurring on numerous occasions I began to wonder why this proves to be true time and time again. Are manufacturers and business ill informed? Do they not know the difference between veganism and vegetarianism or is there a deeper truth behind the manner? It concerns me that perhaps the word vegan sheds a negative light on products so businesses avoid using it.

Generally speaking people perceive us as over sensitive radicals who eat nasty food. This common mis perception of our lifestyle has instilled fear into businesses from correctly labeling their products. I strongly feel that it is our duty as animal rights activist and vegans to educate the public and business of our communities about the truths behind veganism. I’m not talking about converting people into vegans, rather I propose we show others that vegans eat more then vegetables and tofu. If more people realized that food can be cruelty free, healthy, and delicious then as a whole we could move towards being better people both physically and morally. I suggest that we offer vegan food to omnivores when we can and write letters to businesses who are hurting our movement by mislabeling food items in grocery stores and restaurants.

Categories: Rants and Raves
Tags: animal ethics, veganism