Vegetarianism in India

Vegetarianism in India

In India vegetarianism is usually synonymous with "lacto" vegetarianism, although "lacto-ovo" vegetarianism is practiced as well. Most restaurants in India clearly distinguish and market themselves as being either "Non-Vegetarian", "Vegetarian" or "Pure Vegetarian" (lacto vegetarian). Vegetarian restaurants abound, and usually many vegetarian ("Shakahari": plant-eater, in Hindi) options are available. Animal based ingredients (other than milk and honey) such as lard, gelatin and meat stock are not used in the traditional cuisine.

According to the 2006 Hindu-CNN-IBN " [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081403771200.htm State of the Nation Survey] ", 31% of Indians are vegetarians, while another 9% consumes eggs. Among the various communities, vegetarianism was most common among Jains, Brahmins at 55%, and less frequent among Muslims (3%) and residents of coastal states respectively. Other surveys cited by FAO [http://www.fao.org/WAIRDOCS/LEAD/X6170E/x6170e09.htm] , and USDA [http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/highlights/2001/india.pdf] [http://www.ers.usda.gov/amberwaves/February04/Features/ElephantJogs.htm] estimate 20%-42% of the Indian population as being vegetarian. These surveys indicate that even Indians who do eat meat, do so infrequently, with less than 30% consuming it regularly; although the reasons are partially economical.

India has devised a system of marking edible products made from only vegetarian ingredients, with a green dot in a green square. A mark of a "red dot in a red square" conveys that some animal based ingredients were used [http://commerce.nic.in/wto_sub/TBT%20Notifications%20by%20INDIA/2%20-%20GSR%20245%20-%20Health.pdf] . Even medicines are similarly marked: a well-known Omega-3 capsule made from flax seeds is marked with a red dot as the capsule uses non-vegetarian ingredients. Fact|date=February 2007

Recent growth in India's organized retail has also been hit by some controversy. Strict vegetarians are demanding meatless supermarkets [http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/bloodless-coup-as-indian-vegetarians-flex-muscle/2007/07/13/1183833772532.html]

In India, Vegetarianism is promoted by most Dharmic religions.


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