Do you think it's ethical to try and fool meat eating friends with fake meats like: Tofu, seitan, or Boca prod

Question

Like at pot lucks etc.

I sure wouldn't want them trying to fool me by putting meat in something I may eat.

Answer 1

I don't think it's ethical to lie to someone and tell them a soy or gluten product is real meat.  Some people are allergic to soy and gluten (and you could do real damage to a celiac by feeding them gluten unknowingly.)

But, just like you and I have to question every dish at a potluck to make sure there's no meat, someone with food allergies should be taking the same care to make sure they know what's in what they are eating.

I don't think there's a problem bringing, for example, chili with TVP as long as you're not telling people it's beef chili and as long as you're forthright with anyone who asks you what's in it.  I think a much better option is to let people know it's a vegetarian dish to begin with.

Answer 2

I wouldn't LIE, but I might serve them something and simply not mention it.  But probably not because people are often allergic to wheat and/or soy, and I would say "This dish has soy and wheat in it, for anyone who's allergic."

I may be a vegan, but I'm not a liar.

Answer 3

I tell my friends. I make them eat it >:]

Answer 4

I personally wouldn't do that. When I cook, I just leave off any type of meat/meat substitute (for example, lasagna. I make it with regular noodles, ricotta cheese, sauce. just no ground beef.)  

Answer 5

Not ethical. One of your meat eating friends may have an allergy to things like soy and could get very sick.

Answer 6

Its not ethical to try and fool anyone about anything.

What would be your objective ? To "get one over them" ?, "to make them look daft" ?? Really, there is no place for it.

A joke is different, deception is not a joke

Answer 7

It's only fooling if you lie and actually say they are meat dishes.  Not saying anything at all is not fooling though.  Meat eaters can eat those items and I wanted to add that most people with food allergies would ask what it's a dish.

Answer 8

no, but i dont see why you would have to food them. i'm pretty sure if it taste good they'll eat it.

Answer 9

Why isn't that ethical?

It's just a joke.  I doubt my friends would really care. They would probably be able to taste the difference though.

It's not like Tofu, seitan, and Boca goes against their beliefs. Fooling a vegetarian into eating meat IS wrong though.  

Answer 10

Just as ethical as fooling vegetarians into eating meat!

Answer 11

It is more than ethical it is encouraged, it promotes love and peace and cruelty free eating and freedom of ignorance and trying new things. Since it does not go against anyone's believe and is not harming anyone.

Answer 12

you have a point, just tell them. i like some of the veggie stuff.

Answer 13

Some people are severely allergic to soy and gluten.

If there was no chance of harming anyone, I couldn't see anything unethical about it but many people would fail to see the difference between fooling a vegetarian to eat meat and the reverse situation.

I think that it would be wise to just be honest and save your vegetarian food for people that aren't closed-minded idiots.

Answer 14

I don't think ethical is the right word. People who eat meat also eat vegetables. They might like it. If they know you don't eat meat, then they also know you wont bring anything with meat in it. Just tell them to try it. You don't have to be sneaky about it.

Answer 15

No, I don't think it's ethical.  If your non-veggie friends are truly your friends, then they should anticipate that a potluck dish will be prepared by your specifications.  A good friend would at least taste your recipe before passing judgment.  Be honest, up front, and proud of what ingredients are in your dish.  Good luck!

Answer 16

As long as they're not allergic to any of the ingredients in the mock, I don't think it's unethical.  But it's not something I would do.  

And since everyone who knows me knows I'm vegan, they're going to know that whatever I serve is mock meat.

Answer 17

no

Answer 18

No, no one likes to be fooled. Make whatever vegetarian dish you like, just tell people it's vegetarian.