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Is Singapore ready for a plant-based food day?

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14 years ago

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By Dr George Jacobs

Around the world, there are all sorts of ‘Days’. There is a Smokeout Day, when people are urged to breathe easier, even a Dog Swimming Day, when people are encouraged to take their dogs swimming, and many, many more.

The purpose of this article is to propose for your consideration whether Singapore should have a day once a week when people are requested to think about eating from the wide range of plant based foods available. In other words, should we do a Plant-Based Food Day?

A Bit of History (not much because it’s a very short history)

One type of day that has gained a small amount of popularity on various continents, including Asia, is a weekly day in which people go meat-free. Although the idea isn’t entirely new, it received renewed attention in 2009, when the city government of Ghent, Belgium urged its citizens to make Thursday the day every week to find alternatives to meat. Since then, cities as far apart as Sao Paulo, Brazil and San Francisco, USA have taken similar steps, not to mention here in Singapore where NUS adopted Thursdays as meatless days. Late last month, the City Council of Washington, DC passed a ceremonial resolution calling for residents to “abstain from animal products on Mondays” (see photos of the event here).

What’s behind this minor movement? In Ghent, the government talks about the environmental costs and the health risks associated with high meat consumption. Tom Balthazar, a Ghent city councillor, says that taking a weekly break from meat, “is good for the climate, your health and your taste buds. A balanced vegetarian meal is not only sustainable, but also a healthy meal,” he said. “We eat too much meat in Flanders and too little fruit and that has disastrous consequences for our health, as too much eating meat increases the cholesterol and the risk of some cancers, diabetes and obesity.”

Are the Rationales Rational?

But is there good science behind the claims that moving towards plant food would also mean moving towards a healthier environment and better human health? Let’s take a quick look. Earlier this year, the International Panel of Sustainable Resource Management stated that to feed the almost 7 billion people in the world and at the same time slow climate change, we must use our fingers, chopsticks, forks and spoons to reach for more plant-based foods.

Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, stated, “The Panel have reviewed all the available science and concluded that two broad areas are currently having a disproportionately high impact on people and the planet’s life support systems — these are energy in the form of fossil fuels and agriculture, especially the raising of livestock for meat and dairy products”.

As to health, here are recommendations from a website of the U.S. government’s National Institutes of Health, “Most fruits and vegetables are part of a heart-healthy diet. They are good sources of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Most are low in fat, calories, sodium, and cholesterol. Eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day”, and “For the main entree, use less meat or have meatless meals a few times a week.” Our own Health Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, has adopted a plant-based diet.

Is this conclusive? Can we be sure of the validity of the environment and health rationales for a weekly plant based food day? No, we cannot be sure. A fundamental tenet of science is to always be looking to disprove the current orthodoxy. Right now, the current orthodoxy seems to be that global warming is real, that meat production worsens global warming, and that a diet high in meat, such as that eaten in SG and other developed countries, negatively impacts our health. However, let’s imagine that the preponderance of current scientific evidence is wrong, and we go plant-based once a week based on what turns out to be inaccurate evidence. Would it be so bad? As hundreds of millions of people, including those with successful careers in many areas, even billionaires, have not only gone meatless once a week but have gone meatless every day for years, even their entire lives, it can’t be too bad, can it?

Grow Your Own

Please see the companion article, ‘How a Weekly Plant Based Food Day Might Work’ (editor’s note: will be published next week) for some just a few ideas on how to implement this idea. There is no shortage of possibilities. The average person eats at least three meals a day. In food-crazy Singapore, it may even be six daily meals, counting morning tea, afternoon tea and supper. Three to six meals a day times seven days a week equals a least 21 meals each week.

Even if people baulk at an entire day of plant based foods, they can start with just one plant-based meal a week. Breakfast can be especially easy. Anyone can devise their own system. They are all good.

For instance, here are two people who have come up with their own ways to reduce meat consumption. Graham Hill of Treehugger – a discovery company, espouses plant-based weekdays, with weekends open to meat eating (read story here). Mark Bittman, cookbook author, runner and food writer for the New York Times, meanwhile advocates a plant-based diet daily till 6pm (read more here).

About ten years back, there was a Carfree Day, with lots of publicity but seemingly little success (read about the fiasco here) – maybe we can learn from that. With meat consumption rising, along with the attendant  environmental and health consequences, the time for a Plant-Based Food Day most certainly is here – now let’s make it happen!

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Dr George Jacobs is the president of the Vegetarian Society (Singapore) – a non-profit, non-religious charity

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

Published

1 year ago

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14 August 2023

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

Published

1 year ago

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10 August 2023

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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