Why is avocado not vegan?
Oh dear, some potentially devastating news for the vegans among us.
Though its probably the best time in recorded history to be vegan, with a profusion of awareness and options, theres no disguising that this is a big blow to all that hard earned progress.
Thats right: it turns out avocado might not be vegan after all.
At least, thats according to a recent episode of BBCs comedy quiz staple, QI.
Its not just the ubiquitous supergreens that are under threat, with kiwi, butternut squash and melon also coming under the spotlight
Contestants were asked which of the items were vegan, before getting a shock when host Sandi Toksvig revealed that none of them were.
It turns out that bees are the root cause.
Its the same reason as honey, said Toksvig. They cant exist without bees, and bees are used in, lets call it an “unnatural way”.
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Because they are so difficult to cultivate naturally, all of these crops rely on bees which are placed on the back of trucks and taken very long distances across the country.
Its migratory beekeeping and its unnatural use of animals and there are lots of foods that fall foul of this. Broccoli is a good example. Cherries, cucumbers, lettuce. Lots and lots of vegan things are actually not strictly vegan.
Although its maybe not time to bin all that pricey avocado oil just yet.
The Vegan Society has come out against QIs findings in pretty unequivocal terms.
Vegans avoid using animals as far as possible and practicable, spokesperson Dominika Piasecka told Plant Based News.
We are aware that many forms of farming involve indirect harm to animals but it is unfortunately not possible or practicable to avoid the destruction of other animals in most farming at this time.
Though thats not the same as saying its a total pass.
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However, we do not consider that just because it is not possible to avoid one hundred percent of the cruelty, suffering and exploitation to animals that we should not bother at all.
Vegans make a huge contribution to the reduction in suffering and death caused to animals and we would welcome any changes made to farming practices that support this.
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So there you have it – it might not be ideal, but theres no need to cancel those credit card straining brunches any time soon.
Avocados arent vegan in the strictest of terms, but hardly anything is. Do your best, even if that means avo on toast.
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