Animal Ingredient Labelling

To:  U.K. Government

Many products are manufactured using ingredients which are of animal origin. These are often disguised behind E numbers and technical terms, making it difficult for the average person to understand what they are consuming. Many products do not even state the ingredients used, or their suitability for vegetarians and vegans. This is unfair and can be highly misleading, resulting in many unsuspecting victims repeatedly buying and consuming ingredients which they believe they are avoiding. As there is no law regarding the declaration of animal products and testing in foods, toiletries, cosmetics, etc., this situation is almost inescapable without going to very extreme measures when purchasing any form of goods. After all, animal derived ingredients are found everywhere: in camera film, alcohol, soap and even bread. Any compassionate human being would agree that this information should be readily available to consumers, rather than hidden.

The Vegetarian Society lists non-vegetarian products on its website, but it is difficult to tell whether this information is accurate due to the constant changes in production, the reliability of information from companies and the risk of food contamination. It is disgraceful that in the 21st century, a mere website is the only means consumers have of finding out what is in their food. There are people who do not have Internet access or enough time on their hands to carry out this kind of research, which frankly should not be necessary. We vegetarian citizens feel let down by our country and government, and the way this issue has been overlooked for so many years. With the increasing number of vegetarians and vegans, as well as new animal ingredients and production processes, there is an urgent need for change.

The aim of this petition is to request that a law be passed in the UK, forcing all relevant companies to state on all packaging whether or not their products (food, toiletries, cosmetics, medication, etc.) are suitable for vegetarian and/or vegan consumption. This includes the use of battery eggs, animal testing and possible contamination during production, as well as the obvious animal derived ingredients. We also ask that companies be checked by officials on a regular basis, to ensure that the information displayed on packaging is 100% correct.

The general public sees this as a very important issue which affects us all. More than 4 million people in the UK are vegetarian (that’s 12% of young people, who are particularly vulnerable to commercial deception); there are people with allergies to certain animal products; and everyone deserves, and wants, to know what they are buying and eating.

The signers of this petition, WHETHER VEGETARIANS, VEGANS OR MEAT EATERS - want to know what they are consuming; agree that vegetarians should not be force-fed parts of animals without their knowledge; believe in free choice, honesty and the basic human right to knowledge. We ask with the deepest respect that you will seriously consider our opinions and hence make the necessary changes in the law.

Thank you for understanding the importance of this issue.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Animal Ingredient Labelling Petition to U.K. Government was created by and written by Eve Allsop (parental_advisory_explicitcontent_@hotmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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