In the Workplace

Benefits of vegan catering

• It’s the most inclusive option. Vegan food will be enjoyed by most people, including:
  • Vegans, vegetarians and people who eat meat and fish
  • Those trying to limit their consumption of animal products
  • People with allergies to milk and/or eggs (if free from these allergens)
  • Vegan meals may be acceptable to people who eat Kosher or Halal food; this must be discussed on an individual basis
• It’s better for the environment. Research has associated vegan diets with the lowest emissions of carbon dioxide – a strong vegan offering helps to make your catering service more sustainable.
• It’s easy. Producing tasty meals that are rich in fibre, low in cholesterol-raising saturated fat, and provide multiple servings of fruit and vegetables is straightforward when serving vegan food. Vegan options are particularly valuable for service users, staff and visitors who are nutritionally well.

Definition of veganism

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 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.

Reasons why people go vegan

• It helps animals
• It can reduce your impact on the environment - a vegan diet can reduce your food related carbon emissions by 50%.
• Well-planned vegan diets support excellent health
• It reduces the demand for feeding crops to non-human animals

The rights of vegan staff

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that employers have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism.

How to manage vegan staff well

In certain situations, a vegan member of staff may be faced with doing something that is against their belief that animal use should be avoided as much as possible. These issues need to considered on a case by case basis, and alternatives options discussed. The definition of veganism recognises that there is sometimes no alternative to animal use in a non-vegan world.

If you want to make vegan members of staff feel included, even small gestures can help, such as treating everyone to some vegan-friendly biscuits. Work socials should be carefully considered. If you’re planning a meal, it’s a good idea to check the vegan offerings of local eateries before deciding on the location. If you’re thinking about some kind of activity, go for one that does not involve animal use. If you decide on a trip to a greyhound racing track, for example, vegan members of staff will want to give that one a miss.

If you'd like to explain your rights to your workplace, you can use the form at the bottom of this page to access our template email. You can access the letters in word.

Vegan rights

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that employers have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism.

Raising concerns in your workplace

If you’re concerned about workplace discrimination, we provide advice about how to handle it on our veganism in the workplace page. 

If you’re raising a concern about the vegan food available in your workplace canteen, it’s worth highlighting the benefits of making tasty, balanced vegan meals available to anyone. A strong vegan offering has the potential to increase intakes of fibre, fruit and vegetables, especially legumes (beans, lentils and peas), and have a positive impact on the sustainability of the catering service. These changes could be linked to health promotion, and environmental events, such as green weeks.

Vegan Society support

If you feel that your employer is struggling to meet your vegan needs, and you are finding it difficult to resolve the situation, you can seek support by calling 07482 363922 on weekdays or sending an email to KnowYourRights[at]vegansociety[dot]com. We can support staff education, and our Dietitian Heather can offer nutrition advice to the catering team.

If you'd like to explain your rights to your workplace, you can use the form below to access our template email. Just complete the fields, press copy, then paste into your email browser - you'll then see the full suggested email to send to your workplace. You can access the letters in word.

A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including meat, fish, milk, eggs and honey. It’s been estimated that over half a million Brits are eating a vegan diet, and many others are interested in eating more plant-based diets. It’s important for caterers to have an idea of how to hit nutritional targets without animal products, and our nutrition zone provides some great resources. We work with the British Dietetic Association to share the message that well-planned vegan diets can support healthy living in people of all ages.

Benefits of vegan catering

• It’s the most inclusive option. Vegan food will be enjoyed by most people, including:
  • Vegans, vegetarians and people who eat meat and fish
  • Those trying to limit their consumption of animal products
  • People with allergies to milk and/or eggs (if free from these allergens)

  Vegan meals may be acceptable to people who eat Kosher or Halal food; this must be discussed on an individual basis

• It’s better for the environment. Research has associated vegan diets with the lowest emissions of carbon dioxide – a strong vegan offering helps to make your catering service more sustainable.
• It’s easy. Producing tasty meals that are rich in fibre, low in cholesterol-raising saturated fat, and provide multiple servings of fruit and vegetables is straightforward when serving vegan food. Vegan options are particularly valuable for service users, staff and visitors who are nutritionally well.

Definition of veganism

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 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.

Reasons why people go vegan

• It helps animals
• It can reduce your impact on the environment - a vegan diet can reduce your food related carbon emissions by 50%.
• Well-planned vegan diets support excellent health
• It reduces the demand for feeding crops to non-human animals

The rights of vegan students

Veganism has been found to come within the scope of international human rights provisions and vegans in the UK are protected under human rights and equality law. This means that universities have an obligation to ensure that they do not interfere with a vegan’s right to freedom of conscience, and a responsibility under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid any discrimination on the grounds of veganism.

How to cater for vegans

If you’re reviewing menus, consider making vegan meals available to anyone because they can be enjoyed by most people, helping them to hit their fibre and 5-a-day targets and limit saturated fat.

It’s particularly important to offer a variety of well-balanced meals to vegan members of staff. You can keep menus simple by serving vegan options as standard. For example, you can keep the vegetable soup of the day dairy-free, and create puddings without using dairy and eggs, which can be served to vegans with custard made using traditional custard powder and soya milk, or ready-made soya custard or dessert. Here are some menu planning tips:

• Ensure meals contain a vitamin C source, such as pepper, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, oranges, strawberries, pineapple, grapefruit or orange juice. This boosts absorption of iron from plant foods.
• Some breakfast cereals are not suitable for vegans because they are fortified with vitamin D3 from animal fat
• Ensure that dairy-free spread is available if you’re offering toast
• Ensure that most meals feature legumes (beans, lentils and peas) as the main source of protein, but add variety by making use of soya mince, tofu and Vegan Quorn too. Legumes and the dry variety of soya mince are particularly economical options.
• Ensure that fortified plant milk is available in refreshment areas

Ingredients to avoid

Vegans don’t eat anything that comes from an animal. This includes:

• Meat, including chicken, fish or any kind of shellfish
• Milk from any animal, or products containing milk such as cheese, yoghurt, cream and mayonnaise
• Eggs, or products containing eggs
• Honey, gelatine or beeswax

Here is a non-exhaustive list of common ingredients to avoid:

The Food-Info website provides further useful information about ingredients.

Please note that if a product carries a label which states that it may contain traces of an animal ingredient, this does not prevent it from being considered a vegan product.

If you are unsure whether a product is suitable for vegans, check if it carries the Vegan Trademark. If not, get in touch with the manufacturer for the most reliable and up to date information.

Cross-contamination

Kitchen organisation and food service also need to be considered. Caterers should strive to minimise cross-contamination from non-vegan products as far as is reasonably practicable. This includes keeping vegan and non-vegan foods separate, and using clean equipment.

Further information

Vegan Catering Made Easy

Manteision arlwyo fegan

Dyma’r opsiwn fwyaf cynhwysol. Bydd bwyd fegan yn cael ei fwynhau gan fwyafrif o bobl, gan gynnwys:

• Feganiaid, llysfwytawyr a phobl sydd yn bwyta cig a physgod
• Y rheiny sydd yn ceisio cyfyngu ar y maint o fwyd maint yn bwyta sy’n dod o gynnyrch anifeiliaid.
• Pobl gydag alergeddau tuag at laeth a/neu wyau (os yn rhydd o’r alergenau hyn). Mi all brydau fegan fod yn dderbyniol i lawer o bobl sy’n bwyta bwyd Kosher neu Halal; rhaid i hyn gael ei drafod gan bob unigolyn.
• Mae’n well i’r amgylchedd. Mae ymchwil yn cysylltu dietau fegan gyda’r gollyngiadau isaf o garbon deuocsid - mae cynnig da o fwyd fegan yn eich gwasanaeth arlwyo’n helpu gwneud eich gwasanaeth arlwyo yn fwy cynaliadwy.
• Mae’n hawdd. Mae cynhyrchu prydau bwyd blasus sy’n uchel mewn ffibr, isel mewn braster dirlawn ac sy’n darparu digonedd o ffrwyth a llysiau yn hawdd a syml.

Diffiniad o feganiaeth

Mae feganiaeth yn athroniaeth a ffordd o fyw sy’n ceisio eithrio - cyn belled ag sy’n bosibl ac ymarferol - pob ffordd o ecsbloetio neu ddangos creulondeb, tuag at anifeiliaid i gael bwyd, dillad neu unrhyw beth arall; ac o ganlyniad, hybu’r datblygiad o brofi opsiynau heb anifeiliaid er budd pobl, anifeiliaid a’r amgylchedd. Mewn termau dietegol mae’n terfynu gyda’r defnydd o gynnyrch a ddaw nail ai’n gyfan neu’n rhannol o anifeiliaid.

Rhesymau am fod pobl yn mynd yn feganiaid.

• Mae’n helpu anifeiliaid.
• Mae’n cyfyngu ar eich effaith ar yr amgylchedd fegan leihau eich - mi all diet fegan leihau eich gollyngdod carbon hyd at 50%.
• Mae diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunion yn dda yn hwyluso iechyd da.
• Mae’n lleihau ar y galw i fwydo cnydau i’r anifeiliaid hynny nad ydynt yn ddynol.

Hawliau fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan brifysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad ydynt yn ymyrryd ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth.

Sut i reoli staff fegan yn dda

Mewn ambell sefyllfa, mi all aelod fegan o’r staff wynebu gwneud rhywbeth sydd yn erbyn y gred y dylai’r defnydd o anifeiliaid gael ei osgoi cymaint â phosib. Dylai’r materion hyn gael eu hystyried ar sail achos wrth achos, ac opsiynau eraill i'w trafod. Mae’r diffiniad o feganiaeth yn cydnabod bod amserau lle nad oes amgen ddefnyddio anifail mewn byd di-fegan.

Os ydych yn dymuno gwneud staff fegan i deimlo’n gartrefol, mi all hyd yn oed arwyddion bach fod o help, fel tretio pawb i fisgedi fegan-gyfeillgar. Dylai cymdeithas tu allan i’r gwaith gael ei ystyried yn fanwl. Os ydych yn trefnu pryd o fwyd, mae’n syniad da i wirio’r cynigion fegan yn y bwytai lleol cyn penderfynu ar y lleoliad. Os ydych yn meddwl am ryw fath i weithgaredd, dewiswch un sydd ddim yn golygu’r defnydd o anifeiliaid. Os fyddech yn penderfynu ar daith i drac rasys milgwn, er enghraifft, mi fydd aelodau fegan yn awyddus wneud eu habsenoldeb yn amlwg.

Hawliau fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan brifysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad ydynt yn ymyrryd ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth.

Codi pryderon yn eich gweithle

Os ydych yn pryderu ynglŷn ag anffafriaeth yn y gweithle, rydym yn darparu cyngor am sut allwch ymdopi yma

Os ydych yn codi pryderon am y bwyd fegan sydd ar gael yn ffreutur y gweithle, mae’n werth canolbwyntio ar y manteision o wneud prydau fegan blasus, cytbwys ar gael i unrhyw un. Mae gan gynnig fegan cryf potensial i godi’r derbynnedd o ffibr, ffrwyth a llysiau, yn enwedig legumes (ffa, ffonbys a phys). A chael effaith bositif ar gynaliadwyedd y gwasanaeth arlwyo. Gellir cysylltu’r newidiadau hyn hyrwyddo iechyd. A digwyddiadau amgylcheddol, fel wythnosau gwyrdd.

Cefnogaeth o`r Vegan Society

Os ydych yn teimlo bod eich cyflogwr yn ei chael hi’n anodd cwrdd â’ch anghenion fegan, a’i bod hi’n anodd datrys y sefyllfa, mi allwch geisio cefnogaeth wrthym drwy ein galw ar 0121 523 1730 rhwng 09.00 a 17.00 yn ystod yr wythnos waith neu anfon e-bost i advocacy[at]vegansociety[dot]com. Mi allwn helpu gyda dysgu’r staff, a gall ein dietegydd, Heather cynnig cyngor am faeth i’r tîm arlwyo.

Mae diet fegan yn eithrio pob cynnyrch anifeiliaid, gan gynnwys cig, pysgod, llaeth, wyau a mêl. Amcangyfrifir bod dros hanner miliwn o bobl ym Mhrydain yn bwyta diet fegan, gyda llawer o rai eraill yn diddori mewn dietau sy’n fwy seiliedig ar blanhigion. Mae’n bwysig bod gan arlwywyr syniad o sut i gyrraedd targedau maeth heb gynnyrch anifeiliaid, ac mae’n nutrition zone yn cynnig rhai adnoddau gwych. Rydym yn gweithio gyda’r British Dietetic Association i rannu neges bod diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunio’n dda yn gallu bod o gymorth i fywyd iach i bobl o bob oed.

Manteision arlwyo fegan

Dyma’r opsiwn fwyaf cynhwysol. Bydd bwyd fegan yn cael ei fwynhau gan fwyafrif o bobl, gan gynnwys:

• Feganiaid, llysfwytawyr a phobl sydd yn bwyta cig a physgod
• Y rheiny sydd yn ceisio cyfyngu ar y maint o fwyd maint yn bwyta sy’n dod o gynnyrch anifeiliaid.
• Pobl gydag alergeddau tuag at laeth a/neu wyau (os yn rhydd o’r alergenau hyn). Mi all brydau fegan fod yn dderbyniol i lawer o bobl sy’n bwyta bwyd Kosher neu Halal; rhaid i hyn gael ei drafod gan bob unigolyn.
• Mae’n well i’r amgylchedd. Mae ymchwil yn cysylltu dietau fegan gyda’r gollyngiadau isaf o garbon deuocsid - mae cynnig da o fwyd fegan yn eich gwasanaeth arlwyo’n helpu gwneud eich gwasanaeth arlwyo yn fwy cynaliadwy.
• Mae’n hawdd. Mae cynhyrchu prydau bwyd blasus sy’n uchel mewn ffibr, isel mewn braster dirlawn ac sy’n darparu digonedd o ffrwyth a llysiau yn hawdd a syml.

Diffiniad o feganiaeth

Mae feganiaeth yn athroniaeth a ffordd o fyw sy’n ceisio eithrio - cyn belled ag sy’n bosibl ac ymarferol - pob ffordd o ecsbloetio neu ddangos creulondeb, tuag at anifeiliaid i gael bwyd, dillad neu unrhyw beth arall; ac o ganlyniad, hybu’r datblygiad o brofi opsiynau heb anifeiliaid er budd pobl, anifeiliaid a’r amgylchedd. Mewn termau dietegol mae’n terfynu gyda’r defnydd o gynnyrch a ddaw nail ai’n gyfan neu’n rhannol o anifeiliaid.

Rhesymau am fod pobl yn mynd yn feganiaid.

• Mae’n helpu anifeiliaid.
• Mae’n cyfyngu ar eich effaith ar yr amgylchedd fegan leihau eich - mi all diet fegan leihau eich gollyngdod carbon hyd at 50%.
• Mae diet fegan sydd wedi’u chynllunion yn dda yn hwyluso iechyd da.
• Mae’n lleihau ar y galw i fwydo cnydau i’r anifeiliaid hynny nad ydynt yn ddynol.

Hawliau fegan

Mae feganiaeth wedi ei ganfod i ddod o dan gwmpas darpariaeth hawliau dynol rhyngwladol ac mae gan feganiaid y DU ddiogelwch o dan gyfreithiau dynol a chydraddoldeb. Golyga hyn bod gan brifysgolion rhwymedigaeth i sicrhau nad ydynt yn ymyrryd ar hawliau’r fegan i ryddid cydwybod, a chyfrifoldeb o dan Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 i osgoi anffafriaeth ar sail feganiaeth.

Sut i arlwyo i feganiaid

Os ydych yn adolygu eich bwydlen, ystyriwch wneud prydau fegan ar gael i unrhyw un am ei bod yn gallu cael eu mwynhau gan y mwyafrif o bobl, gan eu helpu i gyrraedd eu targed "5-a-day" a chyfyngu ar fraster dirlawn.

Mae’n enwedig o bwysig i gynnig amrywiaeth o brydau cytbwys i aelodau fegan o’r staff. Gellir cadw’r bwydlenni’n syml a’u gwneud yn opsiynau safonol. Er enghraifft, mi allwch gadw’r cawl llysiau dyddiol yn ddi-laeth, creu pwdinau heb laeth ac wyau, a all ei gweini i feganiaid gyda chwstard wedi’i wneud o bowdwr cwstard traddodiadol a llaeth soia, neu gwstard soia parod neu bwdin.

• Sicrhewch fod prydau yn cynnwys ffynhonnell o fitamin C, fel pupur, brocoli, bresych, briwiau Brwsel, ffrwyth ciwi, orennau, mefus, pîn afal, grawnffrwyth a sudd oren. Mae hyn yn amsugno haearn o fwyd planhigion.
• Nid yw rhai o rawnfwydydd brecwast yn addas i feganiaid am eu bod wedi’u gadarnhau fitamin D3 o fraster anifail
• Sicrhewch fod taenydd di-laeth ar gael os ydych yn cynnig tost.
• Sicrhewch fod y mwyafrif o’r prydau’n cynnwys legumes (ffa, ffonbys a phys) fel prif ffynhonnell o brotein, ond ychwanegwch amrywiaeth drwy wneud defnydd o fins soia, tofu a Quorn fegan hefyd. Mae legumes a’r fersiwn sych o fins soia yn enwedig o economaidd.
• Sicrhewch fod llaeth planhigyn cadarn ar gael mew mannau lluniaeth.

Cynhwysion i'w hosgoi

Nid yw feganiaid yn bwyta unrhyw beth a ddaw o gorff anifail. Mae hyn yn cynnwys:

• Cig, gan gynnwys cyw iâr, pysgod neu unrhyw fath o bysgod cregyn
• Llaeth o unrhyw anifail, neu gynnyrch yn cynnwys llaeth fel caws, iogwrt, hufen a mayonnaise
• Wyau, neu gynnyrch yn cynnwys wyau.
• Mêl, gelatin neu ŵyr gwenyn

Dyma restr fer - ond nid gyflawn - o’r cynhwysion cyffredin a ddylid eu hosgoi:

Mae gwefan y Food-Info yn darparu mwy o wybodaeth ddefnyddiol am gynhwysion. Noder os gwelwch yn dda: Os yw’r cynnyrch yn arddangos label sy’n datgan y gallai’r cynnwys ddangos olion o gynhwysion anifail, dydi hyn ddim yn ei atal rhag cael ei ystyried yn gynnyrch fegan.

Os nad ydych yn siŵr ynglŷn ag addasrwydd y cynnyrch i feganiaid, gwiriwch i weld os yw’n cario’r Nod Masnach Feganaidd neu’r Vegan Tradmark. Os na, cysylltwch â’r gwneuthurwyr am wybodaeth ddibynadwy a chyfoes.

Croes-lygru

Rhaid hefyd ystyried trefniant y gegin a gwasanaeth y bwyd. Mi ddylai arlwywyr anelu tuag at leihau unrhyw groes-lygru o’r cynnyrch di-fegan ar wahân, a defnyddio offer glan.

Mwy o wybodaeth

Vegan Catering Made Easy