In 2021, Vegetarian for Life (VfL) produced a landmark report on behalf of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism, examining whether vegetarian and vegan beliefs are properly respected in health and social care settings across the UK.
The inquiry documented multiple cases where long-held dietary beliefs were disregarded – particularly affecting people who were older, disabled, or living with dementia.
The issue continues to gain national attention. Recently, one family’s experience was featured in Scotland’s national newspaper, the Daily Record, highlighting how deeply held dietary beliefs can still be overlooked in care settings today.
Following publication of the inquiry, families were invited to share their experiences through a dedicated email address.
A daughter speaks out
One of those who got in touch was Dr Ann Moulds, whose mother had been living in a care home since May 2022.
For more than 60 years, her mother had followed a strict vegetarian diet based on deeply held moral and ethical beliefs. After she developed dementia, the family discovered she had repeatedly been given pork and fish – despite numerous complaints to the care home.
After a detailed conversation, VfL provided tailored guidance covering:
Dr Moulds said:
“Trying to find information on Google can be a time-consuming nightmare, so this is extremely helpful.”
She added that the information would “strengthen our complaint”.
The charity stayed in touch with the family to provide reassurance and moral support. Thankfully, Dr Moulds’ mother has since moved to a new care home that respects her dietary beliefs.
Dr Moulds has agreed for her mother’s experience to be shared as a case study to highlight the wider issues identified by the Parliamentary inquiry.
Why this matters for older people
Sadly, this is not an isolated case.
VfL regularly hears from families whose loved ones’ long-held vegetarian or vegan beliefs are overlooked in care settings. For many older people, food is inseparable from identity, ethics, faith, and dignity. When those beliefs are not respected, it can cause real emotional harm.
This is fundamentally a human rights issue. Vegetarian and vegan beliefs should be treated with the same seriousness as religious or cultural beliefs within person-centred care.
VfL is calling on care providers, regulators, commissioners, and government to:
Know your rights and get support
If you or a loved one is receiving care – whether in a care home or at home – you have the right to have your dietary beliefs respected.
For practical guidance and support, visit:
Self-advocacy for vegans and vegetarians receiving care | V for Life
Do you have a similar experience?
If you or a loved one has struggled to have vegan or vegetarian beliefs respected in a care setting, you are not alone. Support and guidance are available.
You can contact us in confidence to share your experience, seek advice, or find out what steps you can take. Hearing from families also helps us continue to campaign for better protections for older vegans and vegetarians receiving care.
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