#10 Mikaela Miller

Philosophy of Veganism

           

There are people that have avoided use and consumption of animal products for ages. However, it actually wasn’t until 1949 that it was recognized that veganism was lacking a definition. When The Vegan Society became a registered charity in 1979, they defined veganism as, “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 for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals”

It actually wasn’t until 1847 that The Vegetarian Society defined that the vegetarian diet includes egg and dairy product. Before then, what we now consider vegan was labeled as vegetarianism. Before that definition, The Vegetarian Society had a lot of debate about whether vegetarians should consume egg and dairy product between 1909 and 1912. Because of this discussion, it was decided that non-dairy vegetarians should become separate organization. Then came the world's’ first vegan society in 1944!