NOTE FROM THE COORDINATORS
Transparency
Not too long ago, there was a story in The Washington Post about dietitians with massive social media followings advocating certain products and positions (such as eating more sugar), but not indicating they were being funded by the food industry. Or if their funder was named, it may still not be clear from the name that this was a group with a certain point of view.
The Vegetarian Resource Group is constantly receiving emails asking to pay us to do postings on our social media. This is different from ads when the reader or consumer is clear that it's an ad. We do not take money for postings.
At a plant-based conference, Natural Products Expo, and dietetic meeting we attended recently, we heard many different opinions on the show floors concerning food. Some want healthy foods or items such as traditional beans and grains, while for others health doesn't matter as long as there are no animal ingredients. Others are against processed foods and cell-cultivated foods (replicas of animal DNA) for various reasons, while there are individuals who see these technologies as solutions to mega problems. However, it's difficult to know the sources of foods. For example, if you see animal-free, this can still be based on animal DNA, whether actual or virtual (real DNA is computer coded to create virtual clones/copies).
Recently a VRG member was telling us about a teenage family friend who was getting pushback because of being the only vegetarian in the family. At about the same time, a newspaper reporter contacted us about a story related to how vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores in the same family can peacefully coexist.
There is great division in this country, though Americans probably agree more than they disagree. We think that people can have different beliefs, but still get along and function together. One key element is feeling confident in your own beliefs and not being fearful. Your personality will impact your reactions, as well as becoming more educated on the issues from several sources.
Only giving one side of the story and not seeing other points of view, certainly gives you more followers, prestige, and income. However, it doesn't lead to a better world. Certainly, companies and individuals should be proud of what they are and advocate for themselves. But we hope that businesses and investors will have enough belief in their products so that they will be fully transparent on their labels, websites, social media, and other places. The sources of their ingredients, whether animal, cell-cultivated, or other, should be clearly stated. Then consumers (including each person in the family) can make their own choice about what they want to use. As always, when you ask companies about ingredients, we encourage you to do this in a positive way.
Debra Wasserman & Charles Stahler
Coordinators of The Vegetarian Resource Group
