That Silver Isn’t Vegetarian

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While I was sitting in the mandap during my wedding a couple of weeks ago now, I was a bit concerned about all of the Indian sweets I was consuming. It seemed that every two minutes another mithai was being prodded in my direction, and the thought of all the ghee, the sugar, the gor (molasses) etc that I must have inhaled was a bit frightening. It wasn’t until last week when I read these articles in India-West (Link 1 and Link 2), I realized that as a vegetarian, I should have been concerned with something else. According to the story,

Varak, that gossamer-thin silver sheet that covers Indian mitthai, is made by placing thin metal strips of silver between the steaming intestines of a slaughtered animal or its hide and hammered into a thin foil. A substantial number of cattle, sheep and goat are killed specifically for the industry, according to animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi.

I used to think it was real silver that was just wittled down, perhaps by a machine? Apparently, there is no such thing as machine-made varak, so chances are, if you are vegetarian and you eat mithai or anything else with that silver gossamer on it, you are unwittingly eating an animal by-product. It pains me to think that many unknowing vegetarians, who perhaps think Indian sweets are vegetarian-friendly, have been consuming an animal by-product all these years. What’s worse is followers of the Jain religion, a religion that holds the notion of ahimsa or nonviolence in high regard, and the strictest of whom will wear a face-mask so as to not kill any living thing by breathing, have been using varak to decorate their “religious idols and the tirthankaras in their temples.”

I was enraged following the McDonalds controversey a few years back in which it was found that McDonalds was wrongfully telling customers their french fries were vegetarian, when in reality, the fries were frozen with a beef tallow additive, and the news in this article doesn’t make me much happier. While we all know that gelatin is found in marshmallows and gummy bears, I was surprised to see that certain cereals like Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats, actually contain gelatin, as does a now-former favorite of mine Lucky Charms. With the increasing popularity of vegetarianism, one would think a vegetarian friendly substitute for gelatin would have been created by now.

And while certain members of the food industry allege that it is impossible to synthesize gelatin, like John Magnifico, the technical service manager of Kraft Foods Atlantic Gelatin, others suggest the prohibitive cost of these substitutes make them unpopular choices for food manufacturers. Unbeknownst to me was that the substance agar-agar, which is derived from seaweed, is an existing alternative to gelatin, but is not regularly used vice gelatin because it costs about four times what gelatin costs. As a vegetarian consumer, I would pay the extra amount for gelatin-free favorites, as many consumers do to have the option of buying organic.

Sure, if you are dining out, part of the vegetarian’s risk is that some kind of meat might end up in your food. But knowing before hand what items are safe to eat, and what items aren’t is a big help. One of the stories I often heard was that Pizza Hut used a cheese which had beef in it. This could have been true, since rennet (an ingredient in many cheeses) can be derived from either animal sources or from fungal or bacterial sources. The usual source of rennet, according to the India-West story “is the fourth stomach of slaughtered, newborn calves.” Fortunately, “95 percent of the cheeses currently made in the U.S. is made with non-animal based rennet,” including the cheese used by Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Round Table, and Little Caesar’s.

I wonder now, like I wondered when the McDonald’s controversy erupted why the FDA does not require companies to label vegetarian foods as such. Just like Kosher items are required to have the K in a circle, it would do companies well to have a green leaf, or a big V in a circle for items deemed to be suitable for vegetarians. Perhaps this is something companies should do anyway, as a courtesy to its vegetarian clientele.

162 thoughts on “That Silver Isn’t Vegetarian”

  1. in england they are required to label the food as vegetarian gelatin, or if the rennet is animal based or not.. they should do it here.. no gummy bears, marshmallows, and all that other good stuff… sigh….

  2. Sajit,

    Companies in India are required to indicate whether the item is veg or non veg.

    I first came to know about the behind varak from Heads & Tales (TV Show on animal rights hosted by Maneka Gandhi)

    One fact that I have heard is that many cosmetics & toileteries (including after shave lotion) products are tested on animals in sometimes very cruel experiments. How true is that ?

    Regards

  3. chick pea: And no more Sharp Cheddar or Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, frosted pop tarts, kellogs rice krispies treats cereal, or marshmallow fruit loops cereal.

    Gaurav, The India West article mentions that Indian law required a “green seal certification” for all vegetarian food products. This is exactly the kind of thing we need here in the states.

  4. And don’t forget soap. For those who are applying vegetarianism to everything, I’ve noticed that the packaging on Ayurvedic soaps claim to “contain no animal fat” for the “religiously conscious”. There are now halalsoaps available as well.

  6. This is exactly the kind of thing we need here in the states.

    And in Canada, too! The animals-in-everything approach to manufacturing drives me nuts.

  9. I think soy lecithin can be used as sort of a replacement for gelatin as well. At least, it is used in place of gelatin in certain foods like come candies (like some jelly beans), chocolates, and cookies (I think Oreos used to contain lard, didn’t it?).

  10. Regarding the silver foil/animal intestines issue:

    Has this practice been going on for centuries ? How the hell have they managed to get away with it (and keep it a secret) for so long ?

    Considering how many vegetarians there are amongst Indians — especially back in India itself — and the fondness for mithai amongst desis, this is a pretty explosive scandal.

    It’s like the whole 1857 gun cartridge issue all over again, except on a massively wider scale.

  11. Another vomit-inducing thought: on the same street where the local grocer that I frequent is located, there is a crematorium right next to a “Beef n’ Ribs” set up; and I never know whether the smell of burning flesh is that of dead humans or dead cows….

  12. For those who have read Gandhiji’s autobiography entitled My Experiments with Truth, remember that as he was sailing towards England, Gandhiji had resorted to eating sweets because as a vegetarian, he firmly refused to eat meat.

  13. Just like Kosher items are required to have the K in a circle

    what is the status on these? i recall that NY state had an issue a year or two back because it is dicey for states to get involved with what exactly is kosher or not (since there are diff. standards). vegetarianism would be easier since people tend to agree with what animals and non-animals are. though as a point of curiosity, are mushrooms considered ‘vegetarian’ even though they aren’t plants?

  14. what is the status on these? i recall that NY state had an issue a year or two back because it is dicey for states to get involved with what exactly is kosher or not (since there are diff. standards). vegetarianism would be easier since people tend to agree with what animals and non-animals are. though as a point of curiosity, are mushrooms considered ‘vegetarian’ even though they aren’t plants?

    I think it gets confusing, but the most popular type of vegetarianism, or what I think is the most common connotation of what one considers a vegetarian is an ovo-lacto vegetarian, so a person who eats no meat, poultry, or seafood, but does take dairy and eggs. Many vegetarians in America consider mushrooms vegetarian.

  15. Sajit,

    I think in India usually (but not always) vegetarian is considered as lacto-vegetarian.

    Actually a more accurate term is Saamish (Meat Eaters) & Niraamish (Non Meat Eaters)

  16. I wonder now, like I wondered when the McDonaldÂ’s controversy erupted why the FDA does not require companies to label vegetarian foods as such.

    i think that a more practical solution would be to have a third party organization offer its imprimatur of ‘vegetarianism’ to companies which opt-in.

  17. The Cashew mithai which come in shaped as diamonds have been our favorite and have always wondered what the silver sheet was made out of. Thanks for the great post.

  18. The Cashew mithai which come in shaped as diamonds have been our favorite and have always wondered what the silver sheet was made out of. Thanks for the great post.

    Payal–yum, Kaju Katri, I know it well. I will have to soon re-learn it without the varak.

  22. eurocentric tripe!

    Teehee, I thought I was the only one who made woeful puns 🙂

    i recall that NY state had an issue a year or two back because it is dicey for states to get involved with what exactly is kosher or not (since there are diff. standards)

    There was some controversy here when it emerged a butcher had been selling meat as halaal when it may not have been. They were slaughtered according to custom, i.e. the blood drained, but there was no incantation other than a tape playing. I think a whole urban legend grew out of this – that butchers didn’t change their practices but simply played the namaaz or on auto-repeat. However this, which I assume is the original case, did change the way they slaughtered. Now when I go into my local supermarket – in a very white area – I have a halaal and kosher section.

    My Telegu Hindu friend’s mum insists that halaal meat tastes better so only buys that.

  23. so what again is the point of having the silver in the sweets? does it contribute to the taste or something?

  24. forget residency.. i need to find a way to make veggie cheap gelatin so i can eat my rice krispie treats and skittles in peace… dammit.

  25. so what again is the point of having the silver in the sweets? does it contribute to the taste or something?

    Nutella, that is the thing. The silver varak adds only to the visual aesthetic of the sweet. It apparently does nothing for the taste.

  28. ET (27#)

    I think Rajib was being ironical.

    Anyway what has Aryans got to do with the present post ??

  29. Anyway what has Aryans got to do with the present post ?? Jai: Considering how many vegetarians there are amongst Indians — especially back in India itself — and the fondness for mithai amongst desis, this is a pretty explosive scandal.

    It’s like the whole 1857 gun cartridge issue all over again, except on a massively wider scale.

    Historically, Hindus can be referred to as the successors of Dravidians and Aryans of India. I think i was just following the whole discussion going on relating to the post.

  30. While I was sitting in the mandap during my wedding a couple of weeks ago now

    First thing, shaadi mubarak! Second, a Hindu wedding is technically a puja, right? That makes it twice as bad to be eating animal by-products then.

    Gaurav in #28 about beef-eating Aryans It was probably brought up because vegetarianism (particularly cow sacredness) in Hinduism is so essentialized in the minds of both Hindus and non-Hindus. It’s like saying, well if Hinduism is why you’re so concerned about not eating meat, then you should know that your Aryan ancestors, the first Hindus, were beef-eaters. I don’t think it’s a big deal. I mean, I actually do believe early Aryans were beef-eaters, but you’re the one who mentioned in some other comment how Hinduism changes, and my subscription to Hinduism includes vegetarianism and cow sacredness. It’s all good.

  31. It was probably brought up because vegetarianism (particularly cow sacredness) in Hinduism is so essentialized in the minds of both Hindus and non-Hindus. It’s like saying, well if Hinduism is why you’re so concerned about not eating meat, then you should know that your Aryan ancestors, the first Hindus, were beef-eaters.

    Is it??.. So what’s the percentage of Hindus in India who are vegetarians..

  34. yes! i want a scholarly pointer to some information on this topic.

    I think the truth is around 75-90% of the Hindus in India are non-vegetarians.. I can say for sure in place like TN, it is closer to 85%..My view (just by observations): Only the Brahmins and a few upper castes are vegetarians..

    I googled and found this link (again not a scientific poll) … Answer #3: Today, about twenty or thirty percent of all Hindus are vegetarians and the rest are not.

    Summary

    Through my forty years of presenting the eternal Truths of Hinduism, I have found that families who are vegetarian have fewer problems than those who are not. This is because when we eat meat, fish, fowl and eggs, we absorb the vibration of the instinctive creatures into our nerve system and this amplifies our own lower nature. Our lower nature is prone to fear, anger, jealousy, confusion, resentment and the like. We advise all members of my Saiva Siddhanta Church to be well-established vegetarians prior to initiation into mantram and then remain vegetarian afterward. However, we don’t insist upon members becoming vegetarian if they are not seeking initiation.

    Prepared for the July 4th, 1990 meeting of the youth of the Hindu Temple of greater Chicago, by Gurudeva, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

  35. Shruti (30#)

    I objected because this post is about vegetarians and not Hindus, so the context did not really justify discussion on dietary habits of Vedic period.

    Razib (32#)

    From what I remember the percentage is around 20~25. However even for non vegetarians the percentage of meat in the whole diet should be generally less than other cultures.

    Regards

  36. right, i am curious about the distrib. of obligate and facultative veg. in india among hindus because some hindus have given me the impression that veg. is a trait of hinduism, but i know many hindus who eat chicken, fish, etc. i recall awhile back where there was a discussion of diwali as the hindu “christmas” and some bengali hindus objected since diwali isn’t prominent in bengali. this is somewhat similar perhaps, regional differences might be reflected in the perception of what is, and isn’t, “hindu.”

  37. Gaurav(#35) This is a desi blog right? “WhatÂ’s worse is followers of the Jain religion, a religion that holds the notion of ahimsa or nonviolence in high regard, and the strictest of whom will wear a face-mask so as to not kill any living thing by breathing, have been using varak to decorate their “religious idols and the tirthankaras in their temples.” i think we were on the right lines of discussion with the topic.

  38. most hindus eat chicken..though.

    I have no numbers on this, but I have a feeling it’s true. Fish and lamb too.

    When I said the vegetarianism was essentialized, I was referring to belief, not everyday practice. Essense, existence…haha 🙂 I’m not even saying it is in fact “essentially” Hindu to be vegetarian, but most Hindus still avoid meat on puja days, right?

  39. Rajib (36#)

    While being vegetarian is not obligatory in Hinduism, nevertheless it is a prominent trait. Also regional variation are there. For example, while Brahmins are not supposed to eat meat, in Bengal Brahmins can eat fish.Same goes for Kerala (not sure) In general in coastal areas Hindus do eat fish.

    Consumption of chicken and other kinds of meat is in general from low to moderate.

    Regards

    PS

    I recall awhile back where there was a discussion of diwali as the hindu “christmas” and some bengali hindus objected since diwali isn’t prominent in bengali. this is somewhat similar perhaps, regional differences might be reflected in the perception of what is, and isn’t, “hindu.”

    I love diaspora 🙂

  40. ET (37#)

    Initially I thought it was a “desi” site but to my disappointment I found it is just a blog.

    Regards

  41. Indian Mithai is a little too sweet and is an acquired taste. Also most of the Indian Mithai has very strong flavors. Rasgullas are the best in Indian Mithai though. I think I am going to get me some!

  42. AMD (41#)

    Rasgullas are troublesome to store, but I have heard they are good for digestion.

    Regards

  43. Haldirmans rosgullas taste delicious out of the can. I prefer to water down the sweet syrup with ice , serve chilled, yum.

  44. For my ultra vegetarian mom, the idea of lipstick and other make up became foul too after she read about the animal fats used in production.

    I had an argument with a Jain student while in high school about this same non-violence concept. Their statues are adorned in fresh pearls and the eyes are made of diamonds (often from troubled regions in the world). She didn’t have an answer for me.

    Does that mean that there is a line between those who are vegetarian when it comes to diet and rather wordly in other matters? (I hope I am not out of context…cinco de mayo festivities have me super hung over..hehe)

  45. I just also wanted to wish you congratulations on your marriage, Sajit.

    Are you only the second mutineer to tie the knot? (I am also married)

  47. Yes, there may be some Hindus who eat meat, like Punjabi and Kashmiri Hindus. But then, I have met some Sikhs who do not eat meat. Gujarati Hindus do not eat meat. Most say that this is attributed to the heavy influence of Jainism in Gujuland.

    Wonder if there are any Muslim sects that do not eat meat?? I think there is one, but I can’t remember exactly what it is.

  48. Does that mean that there is a line between those who are vegetarian when it comes to diet and rather wordly in other matters?

    In my (limited) experience, not all Jains who are strict about their vegetarian dietary habits are strict about all other uses of animal products (for example, I know some Jain women who wear silk saris–regular silk, not ‘mukti’ silk). In the West, of course, most ‘vegetarians’ are so primarily in dietary terms, while vegans are usually the ones attentive to avoiding all non-food uses of animal products.

  49. Amardeep beat me to it … congrats on the wedding! That was the real point of this post, right? =)

  50. Half of Driver’s rant from the Hindu cows thread belongs here.

    Strict vegetarianism is a prominent feature mainly only in Brahmanical Hinduism. In Tamil Nadu, at least, most people do eat meat, but as Gaurav said, meat consumption is here than in other countries. This is because meat is expensive, and most people can’t afford to eat it every day. Chicken, mutton, and fish are very easy to come by, and they do some damn good stuff with all of them.

    For all you South Indians or those of you of South Indian descent who were raised on vegetarian diets and have since branched out, a mutton curry egg dosai will probably blow your mind.