An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide: How To Be A Compassionate Consumer?

Your choice as a consumer affects the lives (and deaths) of millions of animals. By consciously avoiding the use of animal-based products, you not only save animal lives, you set an example to others and eventually persuade manufactures to use alternatives.

When you buy animal-based products you are consciously supporting and promoting the exploitation of animals. There are many products in the market that are ostensibly vegetarian but in fact contain animal-based ingredients. It is therefore necessary to both recognize them yourself as well as alert others to them. You should also examine the packaging; for example —jewelry may not contain animal parts but if it comes in a silk-lined, leather box, be sure to state your objection, refuse the packaging, and deduct the cost of it from your purchase.

In what ways can we productively raise consciousness about animal-based products? The most common category with animal products is to focus on food products. Write to leading manufactures asking if their products contain animal parts and also ask that this information should be clearly mentioned on the label. Add as many signatures as you can to these letters. In a country like India where a large percentage of the population is vegetarian by the religion, and conviction, it is vital to have this information available so that people do not violate their faith unknowingly. Under the law, manufactures are obliged to respond, as this is part of your right as a consumer.

Put together a list of common items that contain animal ingredients and circulate it to societies, temples, animal welfare groups, schools, and so on. If you can make an attractive poster of this list, you can ask shops to display it in the store.

Involve the media in this campaign. Distribute the list to newspapers, magazines and television stations. Find sympathetic media people who will cover the issue. Continue to write letters to the media on the subject. Target women’s magazines for detailed coverage of information about milk, baby food, and parenting.

Meet with retailers’ associations and request that since products do not carry labels, shops should have separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections or stickers to mark products. Provide them copies of list of non-vegetarian items. When retailers respond positively, give them positive reinforcement by doing business there and encouraging others to shop there as well.

Publicize alternatives to non-vegetarian products and manufactures within that products’ category whose products do not contain animal parts.

When eating out, be sure to inform the management that you are vegetarian or vegan. Point out if the vegetarian section is inadequate. If you are vegan, carefully explain to the waiter that in addition to refraining from meat and eggs, you also do not want any cream, yogurt, butter, ghee, or cheese either in or on your food. Since the avoidance of dairy products is relatively new in India, you will need to stress the point to avoid mix-ups from force of habit. Always confirm the vegetarian-ness of the dish before ordering and again before consuming.