From veganfoodandliving.com
Is it better to visit vegan-only businesses or should we support vegan options wherever they are? We explore cross-contamination, ethics, and where your money makes the biggest impact
So, if we’re lucky enough to have the choice, should we always support the all-vegan establishment? Most of us probably do our food-shopping in non-vegan shops and supermarkets, we buy toothpaste and paracetamol at a chemist, and we go to non-vegan pubs for a drink. While it’s wonderful to support vegan businesses whenever possible, it may be just too strict to limit ourselves to eating out at vegan-only eateries.
Is it ethical to go to non-vegan restaurants?
If you don’t have a vegan restaurant near you or you want to socialise with non-vegan companions, a place with vegan options is the next logical choice. Vegan options deserve all the support we can offer, but for many vegans, they come with a few potential pitfalls.
If you don't have a vegan café near you a place with vegan options is the next logical choice. Photo © rushay booysen/iStock
Were my chips fried in the same oil as fish or meat? Did they use a clean knife and chopping board to prepare my food? And what’s the white stuff drizzled on top of my meal – is it made from dairy?
These questions generally divide vegans into three groups: those who ask and examine, those who don’t worry so much about the details, and those who decide what makes a difference and act accordingly. By the latter, I mean decisions such as having a separate set of utensils for vegan options is great, but it won’t help save any animals’ lives, so perhaps we don’t need to interrogate the staff about it.
On the other hand, finding a dollop of dairy cream on your meal is not acceptable, not only because you don’t want to eat it, but because it increases the reliance on animal products.
Either way, you know what makes you uncomfortable and what you can tolerate, so the choice is yours. While you may not want to eat chips fried together with fish, other vegans might not see it as a big issue. Cross-contamination exists almost everywhere. That’s why there are labels such as ‘may contain milk’ on dairy-free chocolate and other food items.
We would prefer it not to be that way, and in a vegan restaurant it’s obviously not an issue, but at other places, it’s a risk that many of us are used to taking.
Don't be afraid to ask questions about what ingredients are in a salad dressing or sauce. Photo © Enes Evren/iStock
There are still many restaurants that don’t have any or many vegan options on the menu, so, in my opinion, restaurants that have at least one vegan main meal deserve support. And if you think the vegan option is boring, try suggesting a small change.
Just adding some fresh basil, a few olives or some capers to a tomato and pasta dish can make it a lot more appealing! Clear and respectful communication is vital, and not just when it comes to food!
It’s a similar situation when a local shop starts stocking a new vegan product, and you feel obliged to buy it so that they keep selling it – in turn offering more customers the chance to try it.
Chains vs small businesses
So what about vegan options in independent cafés and restaurants versus big chains? It’s a tricky question, because it adds the ethics of supporting small businesses, as opposed to big corporations.
It’s comforting to be able to buy your vegan lunch at a chain restaurant, knowing it will be the same in other branches, wherever you go. If you don’t have any other option or are in a hurry, then go for it. But, without doubt, a small, independent restaurant is a more ethical choice.
Formerly vegan businesses
Now this is a sore spot… What to do when your favourite vegan place starts serving animal products?
For many people, it’s a betrayal that puts them off ever visiting again. For others, it’s a disappointment, but they will still support the vegan side of the business as much as possible, with the hope that eventually the non-vegan options will disappear again.
Either way, you go from feeling a positive vibe to discomfort, and that’s not great. On the other hand, the owners may well have had a tough choice to make: close down or make changes.
Many small vegan businesses have chosen to shut their doors rather than compromise on their values, which is commendable, but vegans and animals are no better off for it. Supporting a formerly vegan café that has a range of vegan options is still more ethical than supporting a chain restaurant with just one vegan menu option.
Would you rather support a formerly vegan business that still offers great options, or resort to a plain salad at a chain restaurant? Photo © nicoletaionescu/iStock
At the end of the day, we need to work with the world we’re living in, and encouraging even the smallest reduction in meat intake via delicious vegan options is, arguably, the way forward.
Negative news stories and disappearing vegan dishes at your favourite food joints can feel like a step backwards, but in reality, the plant-based movement is in a phase of transition.
It’s moving towards more inclusive options, and healthier, whole food dishes that don’t shout about being ‘vegan’. And any way we can support that is a vote for a more compassionate and sustainable future.
https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/features/ethical-non-vegan-restaurants-dining-tips/
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