Are Avocados Vegan? An Expert Says Yes

At the beginning of October, BBC quiz show QIshared a segment saying that avocados are not vegan.

According to host Sandi Toksvig, in addition to avocados, almonds, kiwi, butternut squash, and melon are also not suitable for vegans.

This has caused a huge amount of debate across the internet, with many wondering whether they should ditch these foods. But The Vegan Society says avocados are vegan (along with these other foods).

Are avocados vegan?

According to Toksvig on QI, these plants are not suitable for ethical vegans because of the way they are cultivated. “It’s the same reason as honey,” said Toksvig. “They can’t exist without bees, and bees are used in, let’s call it an ‘unnatural way’.

“Because they are so difficult to cultivate naturally, all of these crops rely on bees which are placed on the back of trucks and taken very long distances across the country.

“It’s migratory beekeeping and it’s unnatural use of animals and there are lots of foods that fall foul of this. Broccoli is a good example. Cherries, cucumbers, lettuce. Lots and lots of vegan things are actually not strictly vegan.”

Avocados are vegan

Speaking to Plant Based News, The Vegan Society cleared up why avocados are vegan. “Vegans avoid using animals as far as possible and practicable,” spokesperson Dominika Piasecka said.

“We are aware that many forms of farming involve indirect harm to animals but it is unfortunately not possible or practicable to avoid the destruction of other animals in most farming at this time.

“However, we do not consider that just because it is not possible to avoid one hundred percent of the cruelty, suffering and exploitation to animals that we should not bother at all.

“Vegans make a huge contribution to the reduction in suffering and death caused to animals and we would welcome any changes made to farming practices that support this.”