Former breakfast television presenter Selina Scott has launched a fervent appeal for consumers to boycott popular collagen products, which she associates with the distressing slaughter of animals. The 74-year-old animal welfare campaigner expressed profound disgust after purchasing collagen powder, only to discover it carried Halal certification.
Revelation of Halal Certification Sparks Outrage
Ms Scott, renowned for her broadcasting career, recounted feeling 'repulsed' upon learning that the collagen supplement was derived from a cow subjected to religious slaughter, where the animal's throat is cut while it remains conscious. This method is permitted under UK law through religious exemptions for certain Halal practices used by Muslims and all Shechita methods observed by Jewish communities.
The Booming Collagen Industry Under Scrutiny
Collagen, a protein sourced from animals to enhance skin, joints, and bones, has burgeoned into a £10 billion global industry. Many products utilise bovine collagen, extracted from the bones and skin of cows and processed into dietary supplements. Hailed as a miraculous anti-ageing solution, these supplements aim to replenish the body's natural collagen levels, which diminish with age.
In a powerful statement, Ms Scott, who advocates for a complete ban on religious animal slaughter in Britain, described her experience: 'I visited Holland & Barrett and was persuaded about this so-called miracle product, collagen. However, upon returning home and reading the label, I felt an overwhelming physical revulsion. The thought of consuming something born from the pain and suffering of an animal for mere beauty or skin benefits is utterly abhorrent.'
Campaign Against Animal Suffering Intensifies
She emphasised the 'abhorrent' link between beauty products and animal agony, urging the public to scrutinise labels and refrain from purchasing such items. 'Please read the label carefully. I implore everyone to avoid these products,' she insisted, highlighting the ethical dilemmas embedded in consumer choices.
Annually, up to 100 million animals are slaughtered while conscious under these religious exemptions, according to estimates. Campaigners argue that even in some Halal methods where animals are pre-stunned—a practice Halal certification authorities claim enhances animal welfare—the stunning is often insufficient, leading to animals regaining consciousness and enduring severe pain during the slaughter process.
This controversy sheds light on the broader debate over animal welfare standards in food and supplement production, challenging consumers to consider the ethical implications behind their health and beauty regimens.
