A Hindu statesman is accusing Food Standards Australia New Zealand of non-disclosure about the source of gelatine in foods.
He is calling for a mandate that states food manufacturers have to mention the source of gelatine, if used in the product, on its ingredients label.
The statesman, Rajan Zed, is also president of the Universal Society of Hinduism.
He said that when gelatine is made using beef, it seriously affects Hindu devotees who view cows as sacred.
There are reportedly no specific compositional requirements for gelatine labelling on foods in Australia.
"It would be shocking for the Australian Hindu community to learn that some of the popular food products, which they might had been unknowingly eating for years, might contain beef as part of the gelatine, while beef was not explicitly mentioned under the ingredients listed on the packaging to caution them," Zed said.
Zed has urged Australian Governor General Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Health Minister Greg Hunt and FSANZ CEO Mark Booth to seriously and urgently address the issue.
Following other lobbying, Unilever responded to Zed with the statement that gelatine was "used in some of our products to provide a lower fat, lower calorie product with a pleasing texture and consistency... We cannot guarantee if the gelatine is derived from beef or pork”.
Many of chewing gum company Wrigley's products are believed to contain gelatine sourced from beef.
Gelatine derived from beef is also deemed to be present in Kellogg’s cereals.
Gelatine is usually made from various animal body parts and can be used as a gelling agent in food, or for clarification of vinegar, juices and wine.
