Pizza Express have been inundated by feedback from more than 200 vegans, vegetarians and others seeking a clearly labelled vegan option on the standard Pizza Express menu.
Lines of communication are open between Pizza Express and The Vegan Society. Pizza Express have expressed a wish to apologise to enquirers for the abnormal delay in responding owing to the high level of response.
Department of Health Precautionary Advice on Rice Drinks for Young Children Low levels of inorganic arsenic have been detected in rice drinks. None of the samples tested in the survey was above the legal limit.
However as a precautionary measure the Department of Health has issued the following advice: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Children/Maternity/Maternalandinfantnutrition/DH_099852
Free Personal Coaching for a Healthy New Way of Eating
Why not choose a tasty and healthy new way to eat – with a little help from some friends? Get personalised support, recipes, nutrition guidance and much more – all free, with The Vegan Pledge. The Bronze Vegan Pledge is to eat only vegan food for one week; Silver, for two weeks; and Gold, for one month.
Vegan Society group contact Nitin Mehta and Trustee Stephen Walsh supported the expanding Jain Vegan movement by speaking at this two-day event attended by about 3,000 people from
all over the UK. For the first time ever, chai (spiced Indian tea) with soya milk was available and all meals were vegan, thanks to the efforts of Mahersh and Nishma Shah of Shambu’s Catering in developing and publicising non-dairy versions of traditional dishes. The Vegan Society information stall attracted much interest from Jains of all ages and backgrounds, helped by the revered and highly energetic Jain leader Gurudev Chitrabhanuji, 87 this year and a vegan of many years standing, who inaugurated the event and, as ever, exhorted all Jains (who already avoid meat, fish and eggs) to give up milk products in pursuit of the concept of ahimsa or compassion for all living beings.
Good vegan options are a great solution for caterers. The Vegan Society invites all caterers to join their free Vegan-Friendly Promise scheme. In return, The Vegan Society offers promotional ‘Vegans Catered for Here’ window stickers, a staff training sheet, and more.
The swine flu pandemic probably started in an intensive pork-production unit, where pigs are ‘grown’ for their meat. The cramped conditions and unnatural practices in factory farms provide the ideal breeding ground for diseases such as BSE, avian flu, swine flu and MRSA [1].
J D Wetherspoon have issued the following statement to The Vegan Society
"In Autumn 2008, J D Wetherspoon added a vegan option to their standard menu, a sweet potato, chickpea & spinach curry served with mango chutney and poppadums.
"The response of customers has been very positive, with strong sales and remarkably good feedback in comments from both non-vegans and vegans.
"This clearly justifies the forward-thinking attitude of the J D Wetherspoon menu development team, who have attracted new business from vegan customers as well as many others seeking tasty plant-based meals.
"J D Wetherspoon are continually looking for opportunities to expand our menu options for both vegetarians and vegans."
The Vegan Society is in contact with the Real Bread Campaign about the question of whether pig pancreas enzymes are being used in bread sold in the UK.
The world saw fine performances from numerous vegan athletes in the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April 2009. The Vegan Society would like to congratulate them all.
A Fantastic Fun Filled Festival and Carnival Procession!!
Saturday 16th May in Birmingham City Centre
On Saturday 16 May 2009, Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre will be transformed by Veggie Pride UK - a fantastic celebration of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. It`s an opportunity for everyone following compassionate, eco-friendly, healthy lifestyles to come together for a fun, carnival style event whilst also raising awareneness of the many benefits - for human health, animals, environment etc.
Vitalite, the spreadable fat made by Dairy Crest Group plc, is not currently registered with The Vegan Society Trademark scheme.
However, packages of Vitalite with The Vegan Society sunflower trademark logo on the label have been distributed to shops and sold in error.
This matter is out of the control of The Vegan Society. Any customers with questions, comments or complaints need to contact Dairy Crest on 0800 328 5629 or consumercare@dairycrest.co.uk
Contact FOR MEDIA ONLY: Amanda Baker media@vegansociety.com - 07847 664 793 - 0121 523 1737
Notes for Editors:
1. Founded in 1944, The Vegan Society promotes vegan lifestyles - which exclude, as far as is possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Registered Charity No. 279228, Company Registration No. 1468880, VAT Registration No. 448 5973 95
The Vegan Society sent the following letter to The Daily Telegraph on Tue 3 Mar 2009.
On Monday 2 March 2009, your Medical Editor, Rebecca Smith, reported on new research into vitamin B12 and neural tube defects (see http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/4902648/Vegan-diet-increases-the-risk-of-birth-defects-scientists-warn.html).
We’ve been busy contacting care homes and hospitals to offer support and information about catering for vegans; generally the response has been very positive and we have sent out hundreds of our Vegan Catering Guide for Hospitals and Care Homes. We are starting to work on getting guidelines in place in these establishments. If you have experienced vegan food in a hospital or care home please contact us (if you haven't already) as we are currently looking for more testimonials: info@vegansociety.com
We have been in touch with food providers to the NHS and one in particular is keen to liaise with us regarding their vegan dishes. We are currently preparing an advisory report for them.
School Contract Caterers
The Development Chef at Holroyd Howe contract caterer is working with schools and enthusiastically promoting Vegan Catering for All to their chefs and catering managers. They are distributing copies of our booklets to all their schools. We understand that the schools are incorporating our ideas into their menus, for example creating vegan options by replacing cheese with pulses in existing vegetarian options.
Double Page Feature in the Birmingham Mail
Pregnant Vegan Society Finance Officer Fiona Sylva was featured in the Birmingham Mail on 2 December; they gave her a full colour double page spread entitled ‘Mum-to-be defies vegan stereotype.’ Fiona took the opportunity to talk about how she is planning to bring her child up vegan.
Our Plant based Nutrition Booklet went out to all doctors in the country with a covering letter.
Restaurant Show, Earls Court
Our Chief Executive Officer (Nigel), Media Officer (Amanda) and Business Development Officer (Colm) had a steady flow of people at our stand on all three days of the restaurant show and they gave out about 450 catering booklets as well as some hospital catering booklets and nutrition information. They spoke to a wide range of organisations including Compass contract caterers, the Dorchester Hotel, Saga cruises, the Metropolitan police, independent restaurant and pub owners, catering colleges and students and there was overall a good level of interest.
Live Vegan Cook-off at Prestigious Cookery School
The Vegan Catering Challenge took place on Mon 27 October. The six finalists, professional chefs from around the UK, took part in a live cook-off at the Tante Marie cookery school. A full report will appear in the Spring 2009 Vegan magazine.
