> Latest PC Madness: British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid
> offending Hindus
> http://tinyurl.com/6nyvqh
>
> For decades the national dish has been a staple meal on the national
> carrier.
>
> But now British Airways has taken beef off the menu for economy
> passengers amid concerns about its "religious restrictions".
>
> The airline has instead switched to a fish pie or chicken dish option
> for the so-called "cattle class" passengers.
>
> BA's second-biggest long-haul market is to India, where the majority
> Hindu population do not eat beef because of their beliefs.
>
> The decision to scrap the nation's favourite fare was described as a
> "great shame" by the English Beef and Lamb Executive, formerly part of
> the Meat and Livestock Commission.
>
> A spokesman said: "It is regrettable that Britain's flag carrier is not
> proposing to serve Britain's national dish.
>
> "It is a meal we are rightly proud of. Roast beef and beefeaters are
> symbols or Britain used to promote tourism.
>
> "Our beef is also much in demand overseas. It is predominately grass fed
> and highly praised for its flavour.
>
> "It is obviously up to British Airways to decide what they serve on
> flights, but beef is an ideal meat for making into airline meals." A BA
> spokesman said the it stopped serving beef to economy class passengers
> last month.
>
> He added: "We can only serve two options and beef and pork obviously
> have religious restrictions.
>
> "We have to try to use two meals which appeal to as many customers as
> possible. This summer season we are offering customers in World
> Traveller on most longhaul flights a choice of chicken and tarragon or
> fish pie.
>
> "We also look at trends from major supermarkets to see what types of
> meals are popular and fish pie style meals are selling well at the moment.
>
> "These two meals proved popular in tasting tests and are also proving
> popular on board.
>
> "It has nothing to do with the fear of causing offence - we always offer
> alternative meals for people with special dietary requirements if they
> order in advance.
>
> "We are still serving beef based meals on certain menus in First Class
> and Club World and are currently deciding on whether or not to use beef
> on the menus for World Traveller customers for the winter season."
>
> The Hindu Council UK said: "The Hindu community will welcome this
> decision and the news it has been made partly because Hindus don't eat beef.
>
> "Hindus have a great deal of respect for British culture and are well
> integrated into the British way of life, so it's good to see evidence of
> how they are literally flying the British flag by choosing British Airways.
>
> "That said, Hindus are tolerant of the beliefs of others and do not
> expect everyone to stop eating a food because they do not eat it."
>
> In the past three months world beef prices have risen from about £2,500
> a tonne to more than £4,000 a tonne, largely because of the weakening
> dollar and rising feed costs.
>
> BA also said that cost is not a reason for the decision to stop serving
> beef.
>
>