People 'feel sick' after discovering how vegan 'meat' is actually made

22 November 2023 , 11:28

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People are stunned after seeing the behind-the-scenes process (Image: YouTube)

A new video has revealed the process of making a turkey substitute - and people are both horrified and fascinated by the clip.

More and more people are looking for meat alternatives now, whether vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian. And with Christmas just around the corner, many will be seeking out something to replace the traditional turkey on their plates.

One such option is 'Tofurky' - a tofu-and wheat-based turkey substitute, which is created in the company's Hood River factory in Oregon, US. It's proved incredibly popular with approximately 7.5 million Tofurky roasts sold since it was first invented in 1980.

But the process itself is less than savoury. While it's being made, the food looks grey, muddy and unappetizing - as seen in a clip documenting Tofurky's history.

Four people are responsible for making the 'masa,' or the dough of tofu and wheat, which is mixed with canola oil, water and seasonings to add texture and flavour.

'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'

Tofurky being produced at the Tofurky Factory in Hood River, Oregon (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Another takes on the task of making all the wild rice stuffing at the centre of each holiday roast, mixing in breadcrumbs, celery, onion, carrot, leek and other seasonings. One employee is tasked with assembling the ingredients for the Tofurky's dry seasoning mix.

The two mixtures are then combined in an industrial procedure: a funnel within a funnel that directs the two savoury concoctions into a tube within a tube. Once cooked and refrigerated, the packages are then boxed into their final consumer packaging, ready for shipment.

The video documents the process of making Tofurky (YouTube)

Perhaps the most surprising phase of Tofurky's production is an X-ray to ensure nothing unwanted or suspicious has accidentally been baked into the mixture. People were divided after watching the whole the process. "The epitome of processed food," one wrote. A second added: "The saddest looking food ever..." And a third simply said: "Revolting."

But others disagreed. "I find it amusing that people think this looks disgusting when they don't realise most processed food tends to look this way when it's being produced. No worse than seeing sausages or burgers being made as they have to mix in other ingredients such as spices for those too."

People have been left divided over the process (YouTube)

A second agreed: "If this recipe was made on a small scale in a home kitchen nobody would make negative comments. What is gross here? It's just food production on a massive scale. A turkey slaughterhouse is gross…"

And a third said: "I mean, there are meat factories that are way worse looking (and I'm not a vegetarian). This is just mashed up tofu, grains and preservatives. You should see how they make hot dogs or sausage."

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Gemma Strong