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Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP - Getty Images
Santa Claus may find reindeer helpful, but others find them downright tasty.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, made a very tasty pâté ..." That's far from the traditional version of the song, but the prospect of turning Dasher or Dancer into a snack had animal-rights activists in the U.K. seeing red. The group Vegetarians International Voice for Animals launched a campaign against upscale department store Harvey Nichols for selling cans of reindeer pâté.
VIVA's website urges supporters to "politely complain" to the store, claiming that the process of harvesting the venison is traumatic to the animals. Admittedly, the packaging of the pâté seems designed to tweak delicate sensibilities, claiming the product is a "farm-raised relative of Rudolph" and "an indulgent Christmas treat." The pâté includes cognac and spices as well as its signature ingredients, ground meat and fat.
In a statement, the retailer defended the its choice to stock reindeer pâté, saying, "reindeer is growing in popularity in the U.K. … The reindeer we stock is farmed in Sweden and complies to EU legislation."
At £15 for 190 grams (around $23 for 6.7 ounces), it's a pricey snack. Even so, adventurous eaters are probably out of luck; it's listed as unavailable on Amazon.com and on the website of manufacturer Edible. It's also no longer available at Harvey Nichols stores or online — not because the retailer yanked it from its inventory at activists' request, according to a spokeswoman, but because the publicity led to a spike in sales.
"[O]ur online stock has sold out due to the publicity and demand we've received," spokeswoman Constance Cooper said via email. "It's a seasonal product and stocks are limited so we will not be restocking prior to Christmas." Until next year, foodies with a taste for the wild side will have to content themselves with Harvey Nichols' other edible oddities like green curry crickets or toasted ants.
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Harvey Nichols would like to take this time to thank VIVA for the free publicity, and hopes a future collaboration between the two can increase sales of all seasonal meat products for years to come.
I don't see how slicking off a flank of Rudolph and letting him go back into the wild is cruel??? What, would they rather we kill the animals before we harvest their meat? Stupid PETA.
Humankind did not climb to the top of the food chain by munching on wheat grass and berries. Humans are designed to consume the flesh of animals (specifically animal protein) . It is no coincidence that we have two very pointed teeth referred to as canine teeth. Their purpose is the tearing of meat not the crunching of carrots.
Serving reindeer during the holidays could become a popular tradition.
Reindeer sausage is REALLY good!! Reindeer must be good 50,000 wolfs can't be wrong!
I'm sure Vegetarians International Voice for Animals appreciates the free advertising as well. Even bad publicity can be good publicity, especially when it is free.
We, as humans, are omnivores. We eat both herbs and meat. To choose to eat herbs only is just that, a choice. To attempt to force that choice on everyone else, at any cost, is very short and narrow sightedness not to mention NOT MY CHOICE. I'm all for the ethical treatment of all animals.
That'll teach 'em not to be running over grandma.
That reindeer is too pricey for me.
We have an overabundance of white tail deer in Ohio. Between my work place and home (about 8 miles), I counted 13 carcasses along the road (all road kill) --just this last week! They are a dangerous pest. Although we have extended hunting seasons, they are a year-round danger. I'm all for putting deer on the menu.
PETA, People Eating Tasty Animals! :<O
LMAO
I'll vouch for this. Reindeer sausage really is good. I never turned it down when offered.
I've never eaten reindeer sausage but deer sausage are very good. They're not near as much fat as in pure pork sausage. I like to mix pork boston butt with the venison. Smoked with hickory or apple wood they are good.
tapdancintgirl said, :..... It is no coincidence that we have two very pointed teeth referred to as canine teeth. Their purpose is the tearing of meat ....."
They are also pretty handy for those of us who belong to the Hominis Nocturna species. But we use ours for a slightly different reason.
P.S. Regardless what those fake Twilight Hollywood-Vamps try to claim, there are NO vegetarians amongst us ..... idiots.
Yeah, the Republicans use them to suck the blood out of the middle class.
Hmmmm toasted ants!! yummy....or my favorite holiday treat " Cucumber Asterisk" *****
Democrats are blood suckers too; they just hide it better.
RON PAUL 2012
Add this to the list of protest ideas which completely missed the mark, like the shutdown of the US west coast ports by the OWS folks, which ended up costing hundreds of "99%'ers" a day of paid work right before the holidays.
The law of unintended consequences seems to be in full force this year.
Larry-2260635
You Obama "volunteer" posters have to earn your keep with a stupid remark and a political comment, no matter what the subject of the article don't you. We will all be glad when the election is over and you are all added to the unemployment numbers where you belong.
Yashmak
And what makes you think a lot of the "consequences" are unintended. The OWS loonies are part of the union/Obama gang you know.
In a statement from the reindeer meat manufacturer Edible - their spokeswomen Constance Cooper - thanked their undercover reindeer responsible for identifying the most "flavorable" reindeer to make the pate'. Said the undercover reindeer - "That will teach them to call me names and not let me play their stupid reindeer games".
Yep Reindeer pate in the U.K. is the perfect platform for supporting Ron Paul in the U.S. /sarcasm
I love that they had the exact opposite effect that they were intending. Also how does a polite complaint work? "Excuse me good chap, could you do away with this reindeer pate and bring in more crumpets?" /more sarcasm
Harvey Nichols should be the pate flavor of the month next year.
Activists are known idiots. Grind them up and feed them to the hogs.
It's amusing the lengths people will go to post some retarded political attacks on anything.
The process is traumatic to the animals? And here I thought they were just killed. This VIVA makes it sound like they just dig around inside the reindeer to get what they need then sew them back up again. What an absurd statement!
If these people, and other people of the world don't know that these animals, all of them, are actually killed in order to feed us, then they need to find another line to work on. Saying it's traumatic is just plain stupid. Nothing traumatic about it, they're killed and I'm sure it doesn't last that long for them to actually die.
For us meat eaters, I don't see a problem with this as God put these animals on earth specifically to FEED us, and that's what we're doing. It's just that some get a little more creative with what they can do rather than just a prime cut!
GMAFB! Hey veggies; your hero Obama LOVES Spam. Where do you think spam comes from...all sorts of different body parts from animal.
I'll take Rudolf over Spam any day.
I like Spam. In reality, it's nothing more than pork shoulder. The snouts, ears, and tails are reserved for hot dogs. I make a really good Spam and scallop pene.
Typical of you Beev, bring politics into this story, that had nothing to do with politics. You just never quit, do you?
It also had nothing to do with this country, continent, or even hemisphere...
And that is what makes it Obama's fault, Becca!
The BEEV, Obama loves spam? Are you admitting that he is a native born Hawaiian?
Well played sir!
Just another example of economic extortion by another radical group that can't see the forest for the trees. Eat your veggies if you wish, I do. Leave the rest of the world alone. Talk to Sweeden you dingbats.
Extortion is exactly what it is! Special interest groups pull this crap all the time to get attention, kind of like a spoiled brat child. The Muslims are trying to extort Lowe's as we speak.
uh...wasn't the reason the ads were pulled so that lowes could pander to that least informed of our population...the christians?
as opposed to muslims?....while im not a fan of either, if i had to be locked in a room full of christains or muslims...ill pick christains....being gay the christians will only try to convert me....however the muslims will try to kill me....im not sure i understand why so many librals are supportive of muslims...they hate gays more than christans do....they subjagate thier woman more than christians do...they are more likely to impose thier beliefs on others and at the very least are just as loney.
i love meat, but canned meat of anything is gross.
You'll be hard pressed to find Pate in anything but canned or packaged in plastic.
The military used to issue something called C Rations for troop consumption in the field. There were several canned meat dishes that were pretty good, Daniel.
They have come a long way with making canned meat taste better, spider.
Corned beef typically comes in a can. Good stuff.
So first question: How do they cook the meat before the puree process?
Second: What brand of Cognac and how much?
Third: are they really using fair trade spices (because that could add to the cost of the product)?
Fourth: can I use the back strap of a white tail and have it come out tasty? Have some in the freezer and would like to take something new for Christmas with the family.
@ Txmom: Cook almost all the way through, still slightly pink inside.
The type of Cognac is really up to you. You could go with Hennessey's Paradis (~$250 a bottle), or something cheaper.
No clue as to what spices they are using.
Real Pate is made with liver, there are plenty of faux-pate's out there that use other cuts of meat.
B Murphy...thanks...it is doubtful that we will be doing pate...certainly not with at $250...bottle of Cognac....plus the livers was gone in the gut bucket a few weeks back...don't think I will be fishing for it for the new years deer....thanks for the info anyway.
Well, I won't lie, not a fan of liver myself so I can't say I blame you. I have recently however been giving the turine selection a try. I bought some Duck Rillette this year, and I've found that I quite like Turine's also. Anyway, something to check out.
As far as Cognac goes, I'm not a fan of that either, I prefer my malted beverages in the Single Malt Irish Whiskey style. But, when cooking you're pretty much not bound over the liquor brand for ingredients. Using that as an ingredient is well outside most people's budgets. So, I'd imagine you can use something bottom shelf also.
What should santa to do with those reindeer? he only uses FedEx and UPS now.
Although I think that eating meat is wrong in a variety of ways (health, environmental, ethical) I can't see why eating Reindeer is any worse than eating cows. For that matter, it is only convention that tells us it is okay to eat chickens and pigs and sheep, but wrong to eat cats and dogs and roaches. If you are willing to kill something and consume it, you may as well be equal opportunity.
Your comment is completely sound and reasonable! If a person wishes to eat animal flesh and animal by-products, that's their choice. (Just as it's MY choice NOT to consume these products.) I'm amused that there were no responses before mine to your comment, but not terribly surprised.
I truly wish people on BOTH sides would just leave each other alone. What is right for one person doesn't necessarily have to be right for everyone. We should all make the best decisions for our own morals and health, rather than trying to force others to see our point of view as the best and most correct way (this applies to both vegetarians AND omnivores).
For that matter, I don't see why it is any more wrong to eat meat than to eat fish, snails, or even vegetables. They are all living things that are killed to be eaten.
GDdude, I would agree that it is no less wrong to eat fish than other meats. I would say that eating vegetables is a little different because they don't have the ability to feel pain, and it is far easier/efficient to feed a given number of people on vegetables than it is on meat.
joshua, just how is it that you know plants don't feel pain? Just because they don't have a mouth to express it doesn't mean that don't feel it! Arrogance and Stupidity all in the same package...how efficient of you...
Joshua is entitled to his opinion but I do have to argue the fact that a given number of people can sustain health on vegetables in general. If you're thinking "poor" people, you better think again, because they can't grow enough to live on nor can they grow what they would need to, to replace the cheap protein of most meats. Hell I can't afford to buy fresh veggies all the time because they are EXPENSIVE. So it's not easier/more efficient to feed people vegetables instead of meat IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HEALTH. Overly simplistic statement. Or maybe you'd rather see people die of malnutrition than eat an animal.
ADMB, while I don't disagree with your comment, I must say that I've never heard anyone proclaim the need for everyone (or those who don't already) to partake of animal products. I only hear that sort of thinking from the vegan side - not everyone, of course. But when someone wants to impose their beliefs on others, it's never the meat-eaters insisting that vegans should eat meat, rather it's the non-meat-eaters insisting no one should eat meat.
Wonder what VIVA pate would taste like...
Probably pretty lean, slighty gamie
most likely like tree bark...or chicken...
Paper towels? ;-)
So, what do these vegetarian people think the people in Lappland have been doing to reindeer all these centuries? They don't raise them as pets! They have been eating them just as long as Britain has been in existence! If you don't want to eat reindeer, don't buy any.
They have always assumed that they were being bred to sell to Santa Claus, whom they believe in just as fervently as they believe that Bambi has such a vivid emotional life, that the Lion King is vegan, and that the government should provide everything to everyone in the same magical fashion.
Coming from a land whose contribution to cuisine is kidney pie.
And blood pudding.
Never thought about eating reindeer but it sounds pretty good. Hopefully it will become more available in the US.
Lots of people eat venison, and elk, I can't imagine it would be much different. I've actually tasted bear jerky, not bad but a little gamey.
Ever had a venison burger? So much better than beef burgers, only better burger than venison is a lamb burger.
At the equivalent of $23 a can, I probably wouldn't buy reindeer pate, but I would be willing to try it if someone said hey try this it's really good!
I've tried deer heart before, I can't imagine reindeer would be any different than nibbling on Bambi.
I want to try some now, however I don't have $23 to spend on a small amount of anything.
"the process of harvesting the venison is traumatic to the animals." :-D do they mean ~killing~ the animals? i doubt that they saw off a leg and let the animal go. can i assume that it would be okay if the animals were killed in a humane fashion? i applaud the protestors asking people to be polite in their objections, but they really need to be more clear about what it is they object to.
Thank you, Buster. Just as the vegetarian/vegan community sees fit for PETA to advertise by tweaking people's sensitive sides with dramatic ads and commercials, these people are selling their product by using a little dramatic creative license..."relative of Rudolph..." big deal. All other deer, elk, etc are related to reindeer and we seem to have no problem eating them. I've not heard another story about vegans protesting the consumption of any other sort of venison around Christmas time. Seems like the vegan community is just trying to use the holiday to bring the company down. Granted, it may have not been the best advertising strategy that could have been picked, but if they don't say on their labels, "Freshly canned slaughtered red-blooded meat," I don't think they should be so offended by the campaign. Let these people advertise as they choose.
C rations that contained meat were good? What have you been eating, newspaper pate? The only thing that tasted like food was the peach cobbler. The rest was awful. Same with K rations. Any canned meat is terrible and thinking hotdogs are good yuk!. Any canned meat has so much salt in it that a diet of same and you are dead. However, complaining about eating raindeer meat is dumb. Why is eating a raindeer any worse than eating a cow? Inuits and Laps have eaten raindeer for thousands of years. Why is killing an animal and eating it worse than killing a plant and eating it? Morally, killing is killing. All of us live off the taking of another life, plant or animal. At the same time, give thanks to the animal or plant that it provided you with the elements so that you can live.
For most commercial canned products are the only "game" {tongue in cheek} in town. I was raised on home canned veggies, from our garden, and - yes- home canned venison! No added salt, Just put into the jars, pressure cooked and stored on the basement shelf. Then eaten months later. It depends - see - on your point of view. Necessity or nicety.
For most commercial canned products are the only "game" {tongue in cheek} in town. I was raised on home canned veggies, from our garden, and - yes- home canned venison! No added salt, Just put into the jars, pressure cooked and stored on the basement shelf. Then eaten months later. It depends - see - on your point of view. Necessity or nicety.
What is the difference between farming reindeer and farming beef cattle?
About 40 degrees Celsius.
Devil's Son;
You get my vote for most awesome comment ever.
ROFLMAO
Devil's Son gets the Ba-Dum-tish of the day
riendeer goes great with mashed taters and beets
yummy
I eat deer(white tail) on a pretty regular basis, so I see reindeer in a similar light. As long as the kill is done as humanely as possible, and it's used in it's entirety as food and not just for a trophy, go for it. We're designed to eat meat, not just as one poster stated, to munch only on carrots. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to check my grill to see how Bambi is doin'.
Just what we need. More ground meat and fat. All the morbidly obese out there must be quivering in excitement.
Actually, wild animals have much lower fat content. Also, if you exercise vigorously you can eat a high fat diet since it will be worked off.
What's wrong with meat and fat now? I thought everyone hated carbs. I don't even know what we are supposed to eat - guess I'll just continue eating whatever the heck I want in reasonable proportions.
The Inuit eat a high animal fat diet, including whale and seal blubber. It's not the fat it's the carbs that are contributing to obesity, for the most part. Especially simple carbs like potato chips, baked goods and sugary snacks.
mmm sugary snacks *homer drool*
Oh, bother. Whoever is going to fulfill my canned reindeer meat needs now?
Amazon.c o m
Naah. Amazon's got chunk reindeer meat, reindeer sausage, reindeer hot links, reindeer ground beef, and reindeer steaks. But nothing in cans. And I like cans - they're a good fit in my bunker.
Amazon does offer Unicorn in a can. YUM!
Canned venison does not sound like much of a treat, I would rather have one out of the woods than in a can.
Eating meat is a grizzly affair at any rate; why one animal should be exempt is beyond reason. Delta Airlines was serving 'steak' for a while that I'm certain was horse meat; and frankly, it was superior to beef. Reindeer is eaten in Scandinavia sliced paper thin, almost fat free, for meat eaters it's awfully good. So is lamb, cute little things that they are. Let's face it, folks, we're barbarians.
Right. The Lapps have been living on reindeer meat for centuries.
If something did not eat other things we would be overrun with things Molly. It is only grizzly if you are the meat, otherwise it is just the way things go, one thing eats the other and life goes on.
My great complaint with PETA et al., is their complaint about the cruelty of death experienced by the animal to be slaughtered. Interestingly, they never discussed the cruelty of NATURAL PREDATION, STARVATION OR FATAL INTERACTIONS WITH CIVILIZATION.
Natural preditors attack their prey, attempting to incapacitate it by breaking the neck (big cats) or by bleeding the animal to death (wolves). They then start to tear apart and feed upon a still living prey. And do we discount the trauma to fish and shellfish?
What happens to prey animals (and later, to predators) during periods of drought, extreme weather (including heavy snows), or wildfires temporarily strip the land of forage? Starvation is not a cruel death?
Finally, we are all familiar with deer/vehicle accidents, accidental electrocutions of animals exposed to transmission lines, or animals destroyed due to their interaction with people. These incidents are not cruel?
Nature is what nature is. We view things as cruel, but they are really just part of nature's cycle of life. When an individual chooses to eat, or not eat certain foods; that is their right. However, imposing their choice as some form moral constrict, is not a right. Society accepts some "moral" constraints as universal constraints which contribute to the good of society (Do not Murder, Do not Steal, Do not Falsely Accuse, Honor Family and Marriage). Menu choices do not rise to this level. Nor do modern slaughter techniques match the innate cruelty or savagery of natural predation.
Personally I agree. I think one gunshot is a lot less traumatic than being ripped to pieces by wolves. At least the bullet (when aimed and shot correctly) will lead to an immediate kill with no suffering. Nature is way "crueler" to animals than we can even imagine. It's part of the natural order of things.
Animal rights activists are too dense to realize this.
"the process of harvesting the venison is traumatic to the animals" ... what if the animals wished to share their delicious goodness?
They can call it "Pate'" all they want! I still read it "Potted Meat Food Product".
Where to start?
First, it's a deer, outside of Lapland it's a fictional xmas character.
Next, eating wild game consistently will give you gout because of the high purines. Google gout + wild game to research. Although if I see one flying over my house it's din-din (eating in moderation is OK, good chili)
Next, maybe the C-rations were bad, never had one, but an Air Force pilot brought an MRE to the restaurant lounge onetime and it was scoffed up quickly. Was probably better than what the restaurant was serving (no, it wasn't a dive) Google Military MRE for purchasing/curiousity.
Spam is a special Shushi item in Japan if I remember correctly, and fry a couple 1/4" thick slabs on some toast with ketchup it's not bad. Haven't had in years, just something different.
Lived in the country many times, and one night a crazed buck came crashing across my yard when I was out by the car. Couldn't see him in the dark and was quite scary. They're wild animals, not Disney Cels.
Finally, still, no such thing as bad publicity. If you can find Buffalo stew in a can, it's really good. Which reminds me doesn't Ted Turner have a chain of restaurants serving buffalo? Maybe PETA and VIVA should protest and give his business a boost.
A tour guide in Hawaii told me that Hawaiians LOVE spam!
Ted's Montana Grill! Ooh how I love the tasty bison burger, with onion, mushrooms and cheese, oatie wheat bun, squash casserole on the side. Cosmo with three ounces of vodka. Yummie.
Doesn't Ted Turner also raise/ranch/preserve several buffalo herds? Wow!! He's saving the species by putting them on the menu!!!
The really bad news is that Santa won't be coming this year. Some hunter shot his Rudolf.
Yeah, I believe the guy had just bought a new Chevy pickup, just to go hunting.
It must be true....I saw it on TV tonight....And then the fool had to lie to Santa....
I haven't eaten meat in over 25 years. I think Santa's reindeers are cute...however...if people want to eat reindeer then they have every right to eat it. No different then cows, pigs, buffalo etc.