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British Airways won’t serve beef

British Airways has taken beef off its menu for the economy class to avoid offending its Hindu passengers.

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Change in the economy class menu to avoid offending Hindus

LONDON: British Airways has taken beef off its menu for the economy class to avoid offending its Hindu passengers. Instead Britain’s national airline now offers chicken or fish pie to its “cattle class” passengers on most of its long haul flights.

“We can only serve two options and beef and pork obviously have religious restrictions,” said a BA spokesman, adding that beef had not been served for the last month. “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 long haul flights a choice of chicken and tarragon or fish pie,” he said.

BA’s second largest long haul market is to India. “The Hindu community will welcome this decision and the news it has been made partly because Hindus don’t eat beef,” said the Hindu Council of UK.

However, the decision has come in for criticism from other quarters. “It is regrettable that Britain’s flag carrier is not proposing to serve Britain’s national dish,” said a spokesman for the English Beef and Lamb Executive, formerly part of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

“It is a meal we are rightly proud of. Roast beef and beefeaters are symbols of 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 ideal for making into airline meals,” said the spokesman.  

BA defended its decision arguing it had nothing to do with causing offence. “We always offer alternative meals for people with special dietary requirements if they order in advance,” said the BA spokesman. “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,” he added.

BA confirmed that they are still serving beef on certain menus in First Class and Club World and are currently deciding whether or not to serve beef in the economy class in the winter season.

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