PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India has requested Amul, an Indian Dairy Cooperative Society, managed by the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, to make a decision on switching from dairy milk to vegan milk last week but after the plea against the Amul got rejected by the ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) on a Amul’s ‘Myth vs Fact’ advertisement where the company had said that “plant-based beverages are impersonation and masquerading as dairy products”.
In a letter to Amul Managing Director R.S. Sodhi, PETA India said,
“We would again like to encourage Amul to benefit from the booming vegan food and milk market, instead of wasting resources trying to fight the demand for plant-based products that are only growing. Other companies are responding to market changes, and Amul can too”.
While replying to PETA’s tweet, Ashwini Mahajan, national co-convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch said that these proposals will only kill the livelihood of dairy farmers. He further added that the food is people’s personal choice whether to continue with the vegan milk or the dairy milk.
Responding to the tweets, R.S. Sodhi, Amul’s Managing Director questioned PETA India if they will give livelihood to 100 million dairy farmers, 70% of whom are landless. He further added, “ Who will pay for the children’s school fees, how many can afford expensive lab manufactured factory food made out of chemicals and synthetic vitamins”.
What’s the reason behind the suggestion given by PETA India to Amul?
In the report, PETA India pointed out that in India, the dairy sector is the primary supplier of cattle to the beef industry. Most cows, buffaloes used for commercial dairy products are raised in a factory environment. They are artificially injected for a high rate of milk production and inseminated by the workers who insert their arms into the animal’s rectum for placing bull semen into the cows and buffaloes.
PETA India also pointed out that the female animals are however sold or killed for their skin/flesh. They are used as milk machines until their bodies are out, at which point many are abandoned or slaughtered.
In its letter to Amul, PETA India noted that the major companies around the world- including Nestle, Epigamia, Chobani, Danone and others are now investing more in non-dairy options.
What is Vegan Milk ?
Plant-based milk is the new rising trend in millennials, and those who are lactose intolerant.
Vegan Milk is a plant juice that resembles the color of milk and refers to manufactured, non-dairy beverages made from a water-based plant extract for flavouring and aroma. Plant milks are vegan beverages consumed as plant-based alternatives to dairy milk, and they often provide a creamy mouthfeel.
Almond milk, soya milk and coconut milk are the predominant varieties as per the latest writings and Oats and other alternatives, even corn, are catching up for fairly arbitrary reasons.
Is it more beneficial in comparison to dairy milk ?
Vegan milks originally appear superior to fresh milk from cows. But in reality it might not be. As we all know everything has both faces. Same is there in case of Vegan and cow milks. Vegan milk nutritional values vary markedly depending upon what you buy. Powder-packed Vegan milk is better in comparison to bottled water emulsions.
Mr. Sodhi said they are modified lab foods made of chemicals and synthetic materials. Perhaps not all of them are nutritionless but it sets a good argument that they may be largely classified as artificial products rather than the ‘food’ category that real milk falls under. They are considered as lower products in terms of calories as well as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins, and if ever they are not, that’s because there is a good chance that they are fortified with artificial additives.
Yes, it is true that cow milk is more suitable in comparison to vegan milk but at the same time it is not beneficial for those who are lactogen allergic Like Dr. Leonard Hofstadter, from the popular American tv show The Big Bang Theory. Use soy milk like he does if you prefer.
Cow milk consists of natural protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins etc. And Vegan milks don’t compare to cow milk. Researchers have also pointed out that soy milk also contains Estrogen which is not good for men consuming soy milk for obvious reasons.
– Radha Agrawal