Four out of ten Indians identify as vegetarians, while eight out of ten limit their consumption of meat. All of India’s major religions have dietary rules and restrictions. For instance, vegetarianism is frequently praised in Hindu writings, and as cows are traditionally sacred, some Hindus may also avoid consuming beef.
Many people, especially foodies, have criticised the state of Maharashtra’s move to ban beef. However, this isn’t the only food item that India has banned. Here are all the foods we may know are banned…
A Town Turned Vegetarian
The town of Palitana in Gujarat, a major Jains pilgrimage site, has been declared a “vegetarian-only” zone by the local government, which has banned the sale of meat, fish, and eggs there. The prohibition was put into place after over 200 Jain monks threatened to go on a four-day hunger strike in June of that year if non-vegetarian food was allowed to be sold in the pilgrim town.
The Elimination of Junk Foods
Schools in areas like Punjab and different institutions in Rajasthan have banned the sale of fast food items like pizza, burgers, and aerated drinks both inside and outside of their buildings to make it obvious that these items are unhealthy. The decision has attracted criticism from those who claim that kids would bring food from home and consume it. However, the Women and Child Development Ministry, which issued the ban, claims that because childhood obesity is on the rise, it is critical to instil a habit of healthy eating from earlier onwards. Chips, wafers, biscuits, namkeen, candies, chewing gum, ice cream, chocolates, noodles, carbonated drinks, fruit beverages, cakes, and other non-essential food products supplied in non-biodegradable packaging have been prohibited in a landmark ruling by the Himachal Pradesh high court.
India has a National Prohibition on Foie Gras
When the ancient Egyptians noticed that migrating geese and ducks stored fat in their livers, they started force-feeding them in order to obtain the fatty liver for food.
Following protests by animal rights activists over the inhumane methods used in its production, the government decided to outlaw the import of foie gras, which is often consumed as pate or mousse, in July 2014. This well-known French treat, which is included on the gourmet menus in upscale European restaurants, caused the chef some problems.
Rabbit Meat is Prohibited
Hotels stopped selling dishes made with rabbit meat, which was a favourite meat in the state of Kerala when the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a strict ban on rabbit slaughtering there. The government of India later added leporids (domestic rabbits) as the fifth category of meat that can be consumed in India.
The Evolving Food Culture of Kerala
Kerala, a state located in the southwestern region of India, has a rich and diverse food culture that has evolved over the years:
- The influence of different cultures on Kerala cuisine: Over the years, Kerala has been influenced by various cultures, including Portuguese, Dutch, and Arabian.
- The rise of fusion cuisine: In recent times, there has been a rise in fusion cuisine in Kerala, where traditional dishes are given a modern twist.
- The role of vegetarianism: Vegetarianism is an integral part of Kerala’s food culture, and many traditional dishes are vegetarian.
- The use of spices: Spices play a crucial role in Kerala’s cuisine, and dishes are known for their rich and aromatic flavours.
- The revival of forgotten dishes: There are many traditional dishes in Kerala that have fallen out of popularity over the years. Some of the popular cuisines have been served with the same traditions in some parts of Kerala till now.
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