How to Fight Back in The War on Pork

After a trip to the grocery store and finding almost every common grocery store packaged product has either enzymes, mono-diglycerides, or natural flavors, I became even more determined to find a way to get the FDA to mandate products be clearly labeled "Contains Pork" or "Contains Animal Products."

The majority of cheese products list enzymes as an ingredient. Enzymes can come from the porcine enzyme which is derived from pigs, or the enzymes can come from other sources, such as cows or vegetables. How are consumers supposed to know if the enzyme comes from a pig or cow or vegetable? It's nearly impossible without calling the product distibutor and trying to get someone to inform you. This is just ludicrous. Muslims, Jews, and Vegetarians should not have to call the distributor of every product that they wish to purchase. It's not only unrealitic for them to do so; it is also fundementally unfair. Grocery shopping shouldn't be a research project.

There are a few ways that consumers can fight back. First, contact the FDA and file a dispute. The more people we have out there contacting the FDA about this issue, the better our chances are at bringing about a change. Second, start filing more lawsuits. To do this, you must do some more research, but it's worth it. McDonalds paid out ten million to compensate Hindus and Vegetarians who were upset about the fries being cooked with beef in the vegetable oil. Call up a pizza restaurant and order a vegetarian pizza. Then, investigate whether or not the cheese has been made with animal enzymes. If they have been, you now have a case. You can do this with almost any product that claims to be vegetarian. Chances are that thousands of companies are putting out products that supposed to be vegetarian but have been made with some type of pork by-product in the seasoning or cheese. Third, stop buying products that list enzymes, natural flavors, or mono-diglycerides in the ingredients. If more people refused to purchase these items, it will eventually put a dent in the pockets of the people distributing items with natural flavors, enzymes, and mono-diglycerides. While it is true that more people would continue to abstain from purchasing the items if the product had a label stating that it contained animal or pork products, companies have altneratives so that they can regain income- they can stop using pork and other animal products and use vegetable products instead. This may cost the company a little more money than the cheap pork alternative, but paying more to make more is a part of business.

Help fight the war on pork. Spread the work about enzymes, natural flavors, and mono-diglycerides. Fight against companies that claim to be vegetarian when they aren't. And, stop buying products that are likely to contain pork because the product contains enzymes, natural flavors, or mono-diglycerides.

If you know of other names of ingredients that contain pork, please list them in the comment areas.