I keep posting food threads but I have to ask

[wildr0se2]

How do people cope with the fact that there's a chance for insect parts to be in things like peanut butter? I just learned this and I'm upset. I know purity isn't the goal with veganism, but I still wish the food system was better in America. Maybe I'm overreacting.

 

[PTree15]

How do people cope with the fact that there's a chance for insect parts to be in things like peanut butter? I just learned this and I'm upset. I know purity isn't the goal with veganism, but I still wish the food system was better in America. Maybe I'm overreacting.

I wish the food system were better, too, but I try not to let perfect be the enemy of the good. It's impossible to live as we do and cause no harm to something.

I try to focus on the big picture. By eating plant-based foods and not using products that are made with animals, I'm not directly contributing to the cruelty they endure and and to their deaths. It is not great that insects could get into the food system and thus perish, but it's not something I can control, and it's almost impossible for the agriculture industry to avoid incidental insect deaths. I can control what I choose to eat, though, and doing the least harm possible is what I aim for.

 

[Second Summer]

Consider herbivorous animals in the wild. Are wild horses or deer upset they might accidentally eat some grass/plants with insects in it occasionally? Not as far as I know.

I know herbivorous animals didn't choose their diet, so it's not the same as being vegan. Nevertheless, as far as causing minimal harm or at least not exploiting other species, maybe herbivores can be role models?

 

[silva]

Eh....I don't. Unless you grow, and preserve, your own foods you're getting foods that have been stored in silos, warehoused....always rinse and check for debris.
Everything that lives is someones food, in one form or another

 

[Lou]

I agree with p-tree but also you must keep in mind that there is just no way to have no impact on animals.. We can only just try to have a minimal impact on animals.
Sure processing PB Foods - some bugs might get into the mix. If I remember correctly the USDA has limits on how many PPM of bugs, can be included in our foods. (rodent droppings too)
Farm to plate there is many instances of animal death. From bugs killed by pesticides (some pesticides are allowed in organic farming), to the little animals killed during harvesting. and to the vermin killed in storage area and even the grocery store.

"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals ...