New £5 note could go meat-free

Bank of England looking to change the new £5 note?

Vegans were left angered when they discovered the new £5 note had some traces of tallow, which is derived from animal waste products. The Bank of England is working on “potential solutions” to fix the issue.

The bank said the problem “had only just come to light” and is treating any concerns with “utmost seriousness”.

A petition was put together to get the bank to change the note and has now attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

The bank said in a statement: “We are aware of some people’s concerns about traces of tallow in our new £5 note. We respect those concerns and are treating them with the utmost seriousness,”

“This issue has only just come to light, and the Bank did not know about it when the contract was signed.”

The bank is working with its supplier Innovia who are keeping the bank informed “on progress towards potential solutions.”

The petition aimed at the Bank of England wants the company to “cease to use animal products in the production of currency that we have to use”.

Several Sikhs and Hindus have also urged for the note to be banned in temples, where meat products are forbidden.

Hindus believe cows are holy and sacred and practicing Sikhs are strict vegetarians.

The new plastic £5 note was introduced in September and the new design is more durable than the last one, it can last up to five years.