Maintaining a vegetarian or vegan diet requires a certain level of vigilance. Individuals may need to carefully read ingredient labels, inspect their food, and ask restaurant staff about any hidden animal products. One ingredient that often trips up vegetarians is gelatin, which is derived from the bones and hides of cows and pigs.
Recently, a Hindu cleric demanded an apology from Baskin-Robbins, claiming that the company did not disclose that the marshmallow component in its Rocky Road flavor could be derived from beef. According to Raman Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Hindus were shocked to discover that the beloved Rocky Road ice cream contained beef, despite it not being explicitly listed in the ingredients on the packaging.
To clarify, Baskin-Robbins lists the ingredients for Rocky Road on its website. The marshmallows are made with corn syrup, sugar, modified food starch, gelatin, and water. The Food and Drug Administration defines gelatin as a product obtained through the partial hydrolysis of collagen derived from cattle and swine.
Unfortunately, not everyone, including vegetarians and vegans, is aware of the animal origins of gelatin. Marshmallows often deceive individuals into thinking they are plant-based, along with other foods that may contain gelatin, such as certain cheesecakes. Raman Zed criticized Baskin-Robbins for not being transparent enough about the potential use of gelatin derived from cows, which are revered by Hindus.
Baskin-Robbins responded to Zed’s complaint by stating that they comply with all regulatory standards and strive to provide clear and simple nutrition and ingredient information on their menus and labels. Their website and app offer links to detailed ingredient information, nutritional breakdowns, allergen lists, and information about potential allergen cross-contamination.
It remains unclear why Zed specifically targeted Baskin-Robbins, as other brands that make Rocky Road ice cream also use straightforward packaging and wording. For example, Tillamook provides ingredient details on its website, including a hyperlink for more information about gelatin, which is described as “animal proteins that provide chewy texture to foods.” Ben & Jerry’s, on the other hand, uses carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickener, in place of gelatin for the marshmallows in their “Phish Food” flavor.
It’s worth noting that Zed has previously demanded apologies from other companies and organizations, such as REI for featuring a yoga mat towel with an image of Lord Ganesha, Amazon for selling apparel featuring Hindu deities, and the Bank of Canada for using beef-derived tallow in their banknotes.
In addition to marshmallows, other foods have recently surprised vegetarians, such as parmesan cheese, which commonly contains calf rennet derived from animals’ stomach lining. While some cheesemakers offer non-animal alternatives, traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano and many other cheeses still use the cow-based product.
In conclusion, Baskin-Robbins is not the sole target of Zed’s criticism. The company maintains that it adheres to regulations and strives to provide transparent information about its products. Gelatin’s animal origin continues to pose challenges for vegetarians, and it’s important for individuals to be aware of the ingredients in the foods they consume.
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