Masterfoods (producers of Mars, Snickers and Maltesers) have reversed their decision to use animal rennet in their most popular products, after angry reactions from vegetarian organizations across the country.
Earlier this month, Masterfoods began to use animal rennet which is derived from the stomach of newborn calves in many of their products, therefore making the product non-vegetarian, contain what is in effect beef. This rennet alternative is much cheaper than the vegetarian rennet which was previously used.
The company received more than 6,000 phone calls and emails within a week of the decision being announced, as well as forty MPs signing a petition from vegetarians across the UK.
Hindu Voice contacted Masterfoods regarding the change where they told us "We have recently changed the source of some of the whey which is used in our chocolate products made in the UK from a vegetarian friendly variety to one which contains traces of traditional rennet from animal sources. We have received lots of feedback from consumers and reversed this decision".
"Currently we cannot guarantee that our products contain vegetarian rennet. However, we are starting to change our manufacturing process with immediate effect. We want to get our vegetarian products on the shelves as soon as possible. During this process of changing the recipes we will provide updates on this consumer care website, on a regular basis. If you are not sure about the suitability of our products please call us on 0845 0450042."
However, vegetarians should note that only ‘favourite products’ such as ‘Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy, and Maltesers will once again be suitable for vegetarians’. This does not include products such as Twix, Bounty and Celebrations and will continue to be unsuitable for vegetarians.
The term ‘vegetarian’ defined by the Vegetarian society certifies those products where ‘Eggs used must be free range’. Some Hindus will disagree with this proclamation as they may be lacto-vegetarian where egg is not consumed, so still need to read the ingredients on all products that contain the little ‘v’ sign to double check.
Source: http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk
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