UK Hindu body condemns beef elements in chicken products

A study carried out by Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has claimed that chicken imported into the country from the European Union contains elements of pork and beef, sparking criticism by a Hindu organisation.

The UK Hindu Council reacted with shock to the FSA report that food manufacturers in three EU states have used bulking agents made from pork and beef bones and gristle to inflate chicken breasts, before selling them on to the UK market at a higher price.

The organisation said the FSA report meant that many of Britain's 600,000 plus Hindu community might have unwittingly consumed chicken laced with pork and beef elements in cafes and restaurants across the country in at least the last two years.

Anil Bhanot, General Secretary of the UK Hindu Council said: "For many Hindus, to eat beef is as bad as cannibalism. All branches of Hinduism revere cows because they give milk to humanity, as a mother does to her child."

"The companies who hoodwinked us by not fully disclosing the nature of the ingredients they have used to plump up chickens artificially ought to be reprimanded through all legal channels, and also made to give up part of their profits to good causes," Bhanot said.

In its consumer advice, the FSA said, "If you choose not to eat pork or beef, you may wish to avoid chicken that contains hydrolysed animal proteins. If you are eating food from a restaurant or takeaway, you should ask if the chicken contains hydrolysed animal proteins."

The FSA said there was no evidence to suggest that this was a widespread problem with undeclared proteins in chicken products but added that it was carrying out further studies and gathering more information in partnership with other European states.