What is tallow and why is the animal fat used to make the new plastic £10 and £5 notes? What you need to know
NEWS that the new £5 note and £10 notes contain trace elements of animal fat caused anger among some vegans and vegetarians.
The Bank of England has confirmed they are to keep tallow in the bank notes, despite complaints, here's what you need to know...
What is tallow?
Tallow is a hard, fatty substance made from rendered animal fat, which is commonly used to make soap and candles.
The new polymer notes use beef tallow made from suet, which is hard fat found around an animal's kidneys, stomach and other organs.
It has now been revealed the new, flexible polymer fiver contains the substance.
And it also has been confirmed the new £10 note, which is being put into circulation on September 14, also contain the animal product.
The Bank of England said it had considered destroying, reprinting and delaying the issue of the new note in response to the backlash from vegetarians and vegans.
However, it said that doing so would compromise anti-counterfeit measures and would prove expensive.
What is tallow found in?
Tallow can be found in a variety of everyday products including:
- plastic bags
- makeup (including lipstick, foundations and eye makeup)
- crayons
- bike tyres
- candles
Why is tallow used?
The animal product is used as a source of stearic acid.
"This is unacceptable to millions of vegans, vegetarians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and others in the UK.
"We demand that you cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use."
What has the Bank of England said about it?
The Bank said that it "has not taken this decision lightly".
It said: "After careful and serious consideration and extensive public consultation, there will be no change to the composition of polymer used for future banknotes.";
The Bank said that "value for money" was also part of its decision, as switching production of the note would cost an extra £16.5million over the next 10 years.
It added: "The Bank has consulted with HM Treasury, as the ultimate bearer of this additional cost is the taxpayer.
"HM Treasury advised the Bank that it does not believe switching to palm oil derivatives would achieve value for money for taxpayers."
What else can be used instead of tallow?
A form of tallow can be made from coconut or palm oil and this is currently being investigated for the £20 note.
The process to make vegetable-based tallow includes treating the oil with water at a high temperature.
This process is more expensive than that to create animal-based tallow.