The plastic feeling five pound bill was introduced as supposedly a cleaner, more durable and more environmentally sustainable alternative to its cotton paper counterpart. The notes, which are almost impossible to tear, are made out of plastic polymer…and traces of beef tallow.
The new five pound notes aren't vegan!! They contain tallow, which is derived from animal fat 😡 #vegan #govegan pic.twitter.com/QQbrsplweh
— The Vegan Punk (@TheVeganPunk) November 28, 2016
New £5 note isn't vegan. Was everyone's 2016 New Year's resolution to do ridiculously insane stuff like adding meat to money? https://t.co/yuEGPEitXl
— Dan Hanks (@dan_hanks) November 28, 2016
"We can confirm that the polymer pellet from which the base substrate is made contains a trace of a substance known as tallow. Tallow, is derived from animal fats (suet) and is a substance that is also widely used in the manufacture of soap and candles," the Bank of England stated.
In response, many vegans vented their anger on social media, pledging to boycott the new plastic note, with some refusing to accept the fact that a 'fat wallet' — could mean an 'animal-fat wallet.'
Found a Cow in my new £5 note not happy #vegan #uproar pic.twitter.com/vBgHdwpqUT
— Keith R (@Passing_Comment) November 29, 2016
@SteffiRox @bankofengland How sick, unnecessary & prehistoric. WHY must EVERYTHING in this world contain part of a slaughtered animal ffs?!
— MsNeededReminding (@Captain_Hopeful) November 29, 2016
Steffi Rox, vegan businesswomen who tweeted the Bank of England for a response to the tallow rumors, told London tabloid The Standard: "It's really disappointing. It's not a nice thought that there is an animal product in my pocket."
"It grosses me out."
More than 11,000 people have already signed a petition asking the Bank of England to remove the traces of tallow from the bank notes.
When you find out that traces of animal fat are used on the new £5 note coating! #Vegan #bankofengland #NotSurprising pic.twitter.com/beAA8ZSFzW
— Gary Turner (@garycturner) November 29, 2016
"The new £5 notes contain animal fat in the form of tallow. This is unacceptable to millions of vegans and vegetarians in the U.K. We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use."
