What's worse (ethically) - Quorn/ other meat substitutes or organic meat?

Question

I'm vegan, but there are non-vegans in the family whom I have to buy food for. They get organic meat occasionally but they don't mind eating a lot of veggie meat substitues instead but many of these contain eggs and milk. For sandwhiches, although the family enjoys vegan 'meat' I don't always have it as it's a long journey to the shop where I can get it, so I've been getting Quorn 'meat' for them, which contains eggs and milk. I've been wondering lately what's more against my beliefs. I know nothing died for a bit of quorn, but the eggs and milk in it are presumably battery farmed and so I'm supporting something I don't believe is right (although I don't think enforcing veganism's right either.) Is supporting an organic, free range farm by buying their meat better than supporting battery farms by buying Quorn and other meat substitutes? I already buy organic milk/cheese etc for the non-vegans.

Michael H - I didn't know that the vegetarian Society's emblem on products meant any eggs were free range and livestock was not fed GMO or slaughter products. That's very useful, thanks for that.

Redhead - read the question properly. I'm not eating anything with eggs in it. However I could insist that my household become vegan or else. My partner would leave (and eat more meat), my kids would go and live with their dad (who feeds them meat at everty meal), I'd be sad, lonely, bitter and twisted and everyone would think I was a nut and anyone who heard of me would reckon vegans were scewballs. Yes, thats a good idea! So much better than leading by example...

Answer 1

Hi Bel,

The eggs in Quorn are from free range hens.

This is proven by the vegetarian society who campaigned against and lobbied Quorn to change thier buying habits.

Quorn products now have the "approved by the veggie society" label - this is only given where the eggs are sourced from free range hens.

the veggie soc label also proves that the hens were not fed GMO foods, nor slaughter products.

There was a big deal about this when Quorn first came out, they have fixed those ethical buying problems now.

I'm not saying free range hens lay cruelty free eggs, but they are not battery as you presume.

Answer 2

As long as you buy into the corporate branding when organic actually means "relating to, or derived from living organisms" when used as an adjective, which means all food is organic. That being said I have not been able to find anything other than Boca burger that comes close. The link is below. Other than that it seems the the meatless meat is a very limited market, which it should be if you are going to be a vegaterian. You have to figure that turning a veggie into a meat like substance is absolutely going to require some kind of alchemy. Looking for something that has no chemicals or artificial ingredients or addictives makes very little sense.

Answer 3

As with many things vegan and vegetarian, I think you have to go with what 'feels' right to you.

I would rather buy Quorn than organic meat. I don't eat Quorn but if it keeps people away from eating actual animal flesh then for me it is better.

Would your other family members eat things in the sandwiches other than meat or fake meat? There are lots of interesting things you can put in sandwiches other than meat.

To me it is a bit like the fact that I have six cats - and yes they get fed meat based food. So my dilemma is should I not have the cats (all rescues) and therefore not buy meat based cat food or should I have saved the cats from death and now they have to eat meat.

Sigh... decisions decisions... always something to think about. Good luck with working things out.

Answer 4

Take a look at the brands of meat substitutes you usually buy. You might be pleasantly surprised. Many of them only use organic / free range products. I don't remember if Quorn is one of them or not, but check it out!

Answer 5

Even free range egg producers kill huge amounts of chickens - unless you are buying from a local farm or small producer who you know doesn t do things like kill all the male chicks and kill female chickens once they are past peak productivity. Which kind do you think Quorn uses?

Answer 6

I can certainly understand your ethical concerns, but I would have to say that the organic meat is definitely worse ethically, because even if the animals were free range, they were still killed.

Answer 7

"Free range" farms are hell on earth.

There are plenty of vegan burgers, why do you have to eat any with egg in them?


BTW, if you purchase non-vegan food, you're not a vegan. You're giving your money to an industry that tortures animals. Veganism is about economics, not what you put in your mouth.