National Vegetarian Week is underway

Food hygiene professionals across the UK have been advised that National Vegetarian Week is presently taking place across the UK.

Liz O'Neill, head of communications at the Vegetarian Society, said the event is running until Sunday (May 29th) and aims to promote awareness for the vegetarian cause and to tempt people into trying vegetarian dishes that they might otherwise avoid.

She commented: "The government has been urging people to eat more fruit and vegetables for many years and earlier this year they also amended their advice about meat, reducing the recommended intake of red or processed meat."

Ms O'Neill added that the week helps to put the ideals of the vegetarian way of life under the spotlight and it is not simply about food.

According to the Department of Health, people who eat a lot of red and processed meat are being advised for the first time to consider cutting down to help reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

The department stated that this can be achieved by eating smaller portions or by eating red and processed meat less often. It found that cutting down to the UK average of 70g a day can help reduce the risk of cancer.