________________
Chapter
OTHER FOOD ITEMS TO AVOID COMPLETELY
THE USE OF EGGS IN FOOD & FOOD PRODUCTS
сл
When I was born, this question was nonexistent in the Jain community, but not anymore. Every day, I see some Jains using eggs either as a food itself or in many prepared and ready to use food items such as cakes, pastries, cookies, ice cream, and some breads, including Indian-made naan and roomali roti served in restaurants. These days, it is not uncommon to see the use of eggs containing cakes at special occasions (for example, weddings or anniversaries) by Jain families. I personally have never eaten such cakes or pastries. Today, eggless cakes are readily available in many places in North America and other countries and they are just as tasty, if not more so.
Since there are two types of eggs available these daysfertilized and unfertilized-some Jains have also posed the question, "What is wrong in using unfertilized eggs?"
An Ahimsa Crisis: You Decide
I admit that I am not an expert on eggs and types of eggs in the market but Fertilized eggs are eggs that are the product of natural conception between a male chicken and a female chicken; the egg in this case bears life, and would become a chick in due time if not taken and eaten. An unfertilized egg is laid by a female chicken (a hen), but without having been
121