WTF?
ttbn initially says: "In the UK 24 out of 61 foods marked as VEGAN contain elements of dairy products.

According to a Guardian UK front page, "Egg and dairy found in a third of 'vegan ' products"

ttbn then describes this as the "woke being fooled".

I think most people have missed the point.

These people, for what ever reason, have in good faith purchased products that have been falsely, perhaps fraudulently, labelled.

Rather than comment on the behaviour of those companies some on here seem gleeful that another group of consumers has been misled and paid for products that are not what is advertised.

What a sad bunch of commentators.

WTF

That's right. But, many posters twist any subject around to get the dirty water of their chests, which often has no bearing on the subject. Everybody, no matter who or what they are, should be able to rely on food labels.

Armchair Critic,

My point is with the posted opinion put about white veganism and decolonising, is it refers to vegans, but then goes against many things people who are either vegetarian or on a vegan/plant-based diet stand for if they support the rights of animals (non-human species), like myself as a vegetarian.

So, they will not be getting me on board, nor a lot of people who are on vegan or plant-based diets who support the rights of animal species (non-human). If anything, they will not connect with these people.

They want to use veganism to push an opinion, but then want to avoid why people go that way. It's not all cultural. Referred to are people (religious/cultural) from places like India who are vegetarian. I have respect for the people there, with about 30% of the population vegetarian. For me though going vegetarian was not cultural/religious, but about awareness and a lifestyle choice. Since then, about animal rights.

Yes, there are people who find vegetarians/vegans who stand up for animal rights off putting. I understand that, but it's not a case for bringing colonialism/white veganism into the debate. They are going after the wrong people, want to be selective and oppose change.

Referred to are white vegans and lack of food for people of colour, but it is my vegetable garden where someone with nothing can get something to eat, not the neighbour with no cow so the authors reality is simply not there.

The writer refers to people from old times who have lived on plant-based diets and a clash with more modern vegans, but yet again avoids people are on vegetarian/vegan/plant-based diets for so many reasons.

The author says: "It is impossible to preach about saving the earth without first caring for the lives who make your righteous white veganism possible." Well, sorry it is. I will care for animals when I feel it appropriate. I was forced out of my home place beyond my control, and I take on a new level of awareness where I reside as a result.

Dear Nathan,

I also don't like the aggressiveness of vegan organisations.
I don't like their idea that everyone must become vegan (or even vegetarian). I think that being vegetarian is a privilege, not an obligation, I think that most of the world is not ready for it.

However, I must remark that veganism has made my life so much more comfortable.

When I first came to Australia, finding food to buy was a struggle.
There was no awareness, there was no labeling, products from dead animals could be found arbitrarily in any processed food - even bread and crackers had "bread improver" or E471, which was at the time often derived from animals (one batch from China was found to be derived from human hair). There were practically no alternate products. The only cheese which was assured to be without animal rennet was Philadelphia and there was no yogurt of any kind without gelatine. Restaurants that had any dish I could have were a rarity and social events/parties left me hungry, ridiculed and embarrassed.

Thanks to all the vegans around I now have plenty to eat, labels are friendly, many explicitly stating "suitable for vegan and vegetarians", almost every restaurant has some vegetarian/vegan dishes/options and Australians now readily accept my diet and offer quite a few alternatives.

I think we should be thankful.

Yuyutsu,

Thank you for the comments. I agree with everything you've just said.

I remember the times when nearly all cheese had rennet in just about every batch, but now you can get a lot that are rennet free. This has come from some activism and awareness raising. The only exception being places like France. I went to a cheese shop with lots of French cheese and realised that was the case, so some places are still so different. I don't know how the French actually cope with the limitations.

We are so lucky to have food and other diversity here in Australia. We can choose to live our own lifestyles and select what we want, whereas in many places one culture is prevalent and if you go outside that you are seen as a minority and are likely to be targeted by groups or the government.

ttbn's argument that vegans are woke or politically correct as some would call it is flawed, as highlighted in the article link I provided. I would argue that the writer is woke/politically correct, but if you take that view, then you are not true to some of the basic principles of being on a vegetarian/vegan/plant-based diet. The two cannot work together.

I like being able to live each day knowing I am not part of the meat industry, one that kills innocent animals every day. It is good for my personal and physical health and I'm glad we have so many freedoms here in Australia. Such freedoms do clash with the cultural approaches of others, but personal freedoms are better than having to live dated, cold lives based on culture.

As pointed out I will support animal species that are non-human over humans when I want to, despite the writer's position about modern vegans. I'd rather support native animals in Australia and ones from overseas over the Russian president any day, in fact all year round.

Some of these old conserves like their dinky-di Aussie meat pies, they think they are eating beef, well have I got news for them, kangaroo, buffalo, the occasional bit of @%$#%$@*! Beef, hardly ever!