POLL: Walkers to put real meat in crisps, upsetting veggies and religious fans of snacks
Walkers Crisps are to put real meat in their chicken and smoky bacon crisps, upsetting vegetarians and many religious fans of the Leicester-made snacks.
The new Home Grown recipes of Walkers Crisps, which include real pork and chicken from British farms in two of the 10 revised flavours, have angered people who have enjoyed eating meat-flavoured crisps guilt-free.
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Promoting Walkers' Home Grown recipes Gary Lineker and dad Barry at the Lineker's fruit and veg stall on Leicester Market
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Promoting Walkers' Home Grown recipes Gary Lineker and dad Barry at the Lineker's fruit and veg stall on Leicester Market
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Promoting Walkers' Home Grown recipes Gary Lineker and dad Barry at the Lineker's fruit and veg stall on Leicester Market
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Gary tucks in
Caroline van Dijk, a vegetarian who owns the Good Earth restaurant, in Leicester city centre, said she did not understand the move, which is causing a storm on Twitter.
She said: "I like the smoky bacon crisps and I know other vegetarians who do, too.
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"Why do they have to meddle?
"I think a lot of people will be angry and Walkers will need to change the packets because people will just presume there's no meat still."
Suleman Nagdi, spokesman for the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, said the company now had a moral duty to make sure the packets contained clear warnings.
He said: "Pork is forbidden for Jews and Muslims and most chicken produced is not halal.
"People have always known the flavours in Walkers crisps are artificial and it will be important for Walkers to make it clear what is happening, especially after the horse meat news.
"Walkers are going to see a drop in sales among Britain's Muslim community."
Other flavours changing ingredients include prawn cocktail crisps, which will have real tomato in them.
Sour cream and chive crisps will include sour cream from Dorset and cheese and bacon flavour will include cheddar from Somerset.
Some of the other meat flavours may also have their recipes changed to include real meat products in the future.
The company insists it is sticking to its plan to launch the flavours today, despite the backlash.
A company spokeswoman said: "Home Grown will replace the crisps in the classic range and it's a permanent move.
"It's not to restrict anyone but Walkers wanted to move to working with tastier ingredients.
"It may be rolled out across the whole range."
To promote the crisps, Gary Lineker joined his dad on a trip around the country, including a visit to the Lineker's stall on Leicester Market where Barry sold fruit and veg for 40 years.
During their trip around the country, Gary and Barry tasted tomatoes from Walkers' growers in Evesham, visited a Walkers' potato farmer in Hampshire and sampled cheddar cheese from a Walkers' cheese producer in Somerset.
Gary said: "Everyone knows I love my Walkers crisps but to fully appreciate and understand this journey of taste and provenance, I needed a hand from someone who knew his fruit from his veg, so my Dad was the perfect partner."
26 Comments
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by theslyfox
Monday, April 08 2013, 11:57PM
“Barry Lineker... now that is classic!
On another note, I find it rather odd that vegetarians like eating meat flavour crisps anyway. My girlfriend is vegetarian and she wouldn't like it. I know there is strictly nothing wrong with it but it seems to go against the lifestyle choice, whatever the reason.
Why strive for meat substitutes, there are so many wonderful foods out there that aren't pretend meat that you should try.”
by vikersabbot
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:17PM
“just put more crisps in the packet! instead of blowing then up with AIR I bet there is not half a very small spud in the packet RIP OFF!”
by Banksider33
Saturday, March 02 2013, 12:18PM
“I dont know what the fuss is about. Life is all about choices.
Walkers are only providing customers with a choice, and if for religious or other reasons they dont suit, then find an alternative.
At least Walkers are be up front about the content, unlike many restaurants that serve up Halal meat but DON'T make it known to its customers, who may actually object to animals killed in that way.
Accept what the manufacturer has done, and move on.”
by TrishK7
Saturday, March 02 2013, 11:13AM
“I will not eat any more Walkers crisps. I did like the smoky bacon flavour and I am a veggie. The options for me are simple. I will buy another brand. The losers will be Walkers. I am more angry at their attitude than not being able to get any more smoky bacon crisps.”
by aristoc
Saturday, March 02 2013, 6:48AM
“Is this just not a matter of taste and choice?If ya want em,buy em.If ya dont,dont.Simple or not ?
There is a shop doing a fine business in selling squirrel meat in Leicestershire.Why not?
Maybe make good crisps!Problem will be red or grey flavour.”
by intrest
Friday, March 01 2013, 8:09PM
“In Comment:Interesting article-mmm -crisps-bit too trendy-wonder if Walkers would find it more more profitable-converting to instant Powder Potatoes. I think there is a bigger demand for instants-and Im sure Farmers would be lining up-to process potatoes by the ton.Spuds-of course- in all forms-are in-however-me- ?”
by llamalamb
Friday, March 01 2013, 6:11PM
“I'd be interested in what the spiritual guidance is on eating potatoes. They grow under the soil so they would be pretty unclean wouldn't they.”
by phreakdown
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:14PM
“any sign of real horse in the beef flavoured crisps? In all seriousness, this is good news. Real ingredients in food always better than artificial, surely?”
by llamalamb
Friday, March 01 2013, 5:00PM
“Fried jacks? I meant fried snacks.......damn auto speller.”
by llamalamb
Friday, March 01 2013, 4:59PM
“Community groups who's dietary preference requires the avoidance of pig products will just have to stick to other flavours. There is no law in the UK that requires any group to avoid any particular foodstuff, it is a choice.....to eat or not to eat. Simple.....they will healthier eating fewer fried jacks anyway.”