How do fellow vegans feel about...?!
How do fellow vegans feel about...?
the use of processed sugars in retail/commercial foods that are 'purified' through bone char. Granted no byproducts are introduced to the sugar in this process, it is just used to extract 'impurities' from sugar. This has been my only exception as I don't have enough income presently to cut out all processed foods. (I use natural raw sugar in my own cooking though.) Views and opinions please =)
Additional Details1 month ago
I understand entirely the ethics of veganism and the lifestyle.. it's just that sometimes I'm sure I buy some foods that may have bone char filtered sugar, as I can't be sure...usually the processed foods have corn syrup or evap cane sugar in them though.
1 month ago
Zaye - Ya it's used quiet a bit =\
Answers:
1 month ago
I understand entirely the ethics of veganism and the lifestyle.. it's just that sometimes I'm sure I buy some foods that may have bone char filtered sugar, as I can't be sure...usually the processed foods have corn syrup or evap cane sugar in them though.
1 month ago
Zaye - Ya it's used quiet a bit =\
I have personal feelings against using bone char filtered sugar. I like to buy the "Raw Sugar" and many resurants have them packets next to the regular sugar. I drink lots of sugar in my tea so this is important.
Unfortunatly i am also a poor college student so i make my vegan choices wisely but have to take into account expenses. I will still buy stuff with proccessed sugar and will use cane sugar for cooking but for smaller stuff i like drinks or small deserts i have a box of raw sugar i use.
Until i have the finacial ability to eliminate it from my diet this is what i do.
As a side not C&H does use a bone char filter for some of their sugars and have a couple that DO NOT pass over bone char. i email them and they gave me a very detailed and thurough response:
Source(s):
Dear Alex:
Thank you for taking the time to contact C&H Sugar regarding our use of natural charcoal. Natural charcoal is a sterile material used to remove color, impurities and certain naturally occurring minerals from sugar during the refining process. It acts similarly to a coffee filter and is not in the sugar itself. There are no animal products in C&H Sugar. C&H sugars are certified kosher, pareve.
The safe and long-standing use of natural charcoal in the sugar refinement process is the best available in the sugar industry and is approved and certified safe by both the FDA and USDA. Consumers can be assured that all materials used in the C&H refining process are fully approved as required by the federal government's strict manufacturing standards.
The natural charcoal we use is made exclusively from the bones of non-European cattle. These healthy bones are incinerated for 12 hours at temperatures reaching over 700 degrees centigrade. This burning process destroys all organic matter (including viruses, bacteria and proteins), leaving only an inert granular substance called natural charcoal that is about 10% elemental carbon and about 90% calcium hydroxyapatite.
Since 1906, C&H has produced the highest quality pure cane sugars. We take pride in the fact that our sugars are 100% pure cane and do not contain fillers of any kind. We do not bleach our sugar. Our brown sugars contain no added flavoring or coloring as the molasses flavor is derived naturally from cane, through crystallization.
We also produce a natural Washed Raw Sugar which is crystallized from pressed cane juice and is not filtered over natural charcoal. Many consumers enjoy this natural turbinado sugar for its crunchy texture and its rich, subtle molasses flavor. Our newest product, C&H Pure Cane Certified Organic Sugar also does not pass through this filter.
I sincerely hope that the foregoing answers your questions and addresses your concerns.
Sincerely,
Connie C. Hunter, C&H Sugar Co.
EDIT: Reformatted copy of email to fit here better.
i am uh cow and i friends wif many animal and we wunt to say dank you for not eating us and it would be even cooler if you would stop eating our food too. dem plants are for us to eat. as for duh suguh, i fink you will be alright. ok den bye
I personally avoid it , but I think it is hard for
all vegetarians to avoid it religiously. Same
thing with honey. It's up to each and every
veggie to decide for theirself.
I think you should live within your means. If you can't cut out all animal products out of your diet that's OK, as long as it is something you are working towards.
killa' fo' real (first comment) can we say Dee Dee Dee! spread your stupidity elsewhere. Get a life.
White processed sugar is usually found in processed food high in fat, so I dont feel like Im missing out on anything. If I want cupcakes or biscuits I make my own heathier version. I'm very suspicious of processed foods in general even when it's vegan.
To answer your q, refined sugar where animal bones are used is not vegan. Even if the sugar doesnt contain bones it is still a process that supports slaughtering of animals. And Im against that. I dont wear fur or leather for the same reason. No one eats that stuff, but wearing it supports the slaughtering of animals. Veganism is more than what you dont put in your mouth. Sure, we can never be perfect, but some things CAN be avoided with a bit of effort.
White sugar can be tough to avoid if you like processed stuff, but it's not impossible. Especially if you can cook, it should be easier. Make your own cakes. :) Vegan alternatives can be found in some health shops and vegan online shops.
Someone mentioned honey... That must be the easiest thing for a vegan to avoid! I dont see what the confusion is all about. Bees are living creatures, just like cows and chickens. They make honey for their own consumption- To say that bees dont mind our stealing their honey is equally insane and selfish as saying that cows produce milk for humans and not their own young.
Edit: just read the ingredients list when you're not sure about what you're eating. As a vegan you have to do that anyway, because of dairy and what not.
I think you should learn how to make soy ice cream and feed it to me everyday, thats what i think. :) xoxo
I generally avoid white sugar but I thought the bone char method is not actually used anymore...am I mistaken?