"Maybe to be a vegetarian indicates the society is moving forward." (File Photo)

Chinanews.cn, August 25, 2006

Shanghai, China -- One usually has no appetite in hot summer. During this summer in Shanghai, several food security incidents occurred. From then on, many Shanghai citizens now choose to be vegetarians. Vegetables and fruits are in great demand these days, and vegetarian dishes are also popular in restaurants.

Mr. Wang was selecting fresh vegetables in the market. He told our reporter that his family now enjoys vegetables and bean products. He occasionally eats roast chicken or steamed fish, but often cooks them for longer time lest food poisoning occur.

Ms. Li, 60, buys food from a nearby market everyday. She fears unclean food will make her sick. She chooses to be a vegetarian and seldom eats meat.

Western-style restaurants also attract young white collars with their vegetables and fruit salad. The latter also want to keep fit just as the elderly do.

Mr. Deng, a professional cook of 20 years standing, said that living conditions were poor in the past, and ordinary people had no money to eat roast duck everyday. "But when people have got rich," he said, "they start to eat almost everything. Maybe to be a vegetarian indicates the society is moving forward."