Code of Good Practice

This advice is provided as a best practice guide. Members of the Vegetarian for Life – UK List undertake to operate within its spirit, in order to provide ethical catering for older vegetarians.

They may also choose to include provision for older vegans.

• animal flesh (meat, fish or shellfish)
• meat, fish, or bone stock, or stock cubes containing same
• animal carcass fats (including suet, lard or dripping)
• gelatine, gelatine-based jelly, or aspic (jelly made from meat stock)
• products with ingredients derived from slaughterhouse e.g. lard, or calf rennet in cheese.

Battery or intensively produced eggs should be avoided wherever possible. Please consult individual residents regarding their attitude on eggs.

Vegan dishes must not contain:

• anything on the vegetarian list above
• dairy products including cheese, milk, butter, cream and yoghurt
• eggs
• honey
  
  

Stumbling Blocks

Cheese

Traditionally cheese was made using rennet, an enzyme extracted from the stomach of slaughtered calves. But today most UK cheese is vegetarian. If in doubt, please ask your supplier. Cheese products are never suitable for vegans. Vegan cheese-alternatives are available in some stores.

Fats, Oils and Margarine

Butter is suitable for vegetarians, but not for vegans. Other animal fats and fish oils, and products containing them, are unsuitable for either. There are many margarines suitable for both vegetarians and vegans – usually clearly indicated on the container.

Gravies and stock

Cubes or powders containing meat, poultry or fish extract are not acceptable. Please use vegetable stocks and stock cubes.

Honey
Royal jelly is not vegetarian. Honey is acceptable to vegetarians but not vegans.

Milk and Cream

Milk and cream are acceptable to vegetarians, but not to vegans. Soya milk is readily available in supermarkets and is good for most vegans. Rice, nut and oat milks are also available for those who do not like soya.

Worcester sauce

Usually contains anchovies, but vegetarian versions are available.

Toiletries

The majority of vegetarians and vegans have adopted their lifestyle due to concern for animal suffering. If you provide soap, shampoo and similar products, please try to ensure that they are animal-free and have not been tested on animals.

Kitchen Hygiene

Work surfaces, chopping boards, utensils and other kitchen equipment should either be kept separate from those used for non-vegetarian food preparation, or cleaned thoroughly beforehand. Cross contamination should also be avoided between vegetarian and vegan
foods.

Please ensure that fryers, grills and griddles used for preparing meat and fish are thoroughly cleaned. Fryers must be filled with fresh, uncontaminated oil before vegetarian or vegan food is cooked.

Choice

• For each meal you should offer at least one vegetarian option.
• Good communication with your vegetarian residents or service-users should ensure that individual preferences are observed. (If necessary – for frail or vulnerable vegetarians – family or friends should be consulted to ascertain preferences).
• Menu planning should ensure a good variety of food of high nutritional value – with an appropriate mix of carbohydrate, protein, fat and fibre – providing at least 5 portions a day of fruit or vegetables. ‘Dairy overload’ should be avoided. (See Balance and Planning Page in the Catering Guide section.)
• We would encourage you to offer your meat-eaters the vegetarian options – which will be good for the variety and nutritional needs of their diet.

Listing Options

There are four listing options for members of the UK List. All Members of the list accept our guidelines for basic vegetarian provision. We would encourage Members to also add to their listing the following symbols:

(Vg) Members agree to adhere to the guidelines for vegan provision
(F) All eggs used are free range and, wherever possible, any ready-made products used contain free range eggs
(O) Any eggs and dairy produce used are organic and only organic fruit and vegetables are used wherever possible

But, please note: these are options only and are not requirements for VfL - UK List Membership. They are ways to extend the listing and commitment.