CF food

Not such a dumb question - from July this year - One by One, Food Companies Pledge to Quit Animal Testing see http://theplate.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/16/one-by-one-food-companies-pledge-to-quit-animal-testing/

“Most people, even if they are peripherally responsible, know about cosmetics and drug testing,” he says. But “even people who work in this area, typically, have never heard of such a thing as a food company doing animal tests.”

PETA's list of CF companies for Australia does not include food companies - see
http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_search.aspx?Donottest=-1&Product=0&Dotest=-1&Regchange=-1&Country=9&Keyword=

"Sources such as Leapingbunny.org and PETA.org have lists of both cruelty-free and those who test on animals. Buycott is an app that can be downloaded to smartphones and has similar lists that can be accessed, and items can be scanned at the store and identified as cruelty-free or not. " (Leapingbunny have an app too)

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/5-surprising-products-that-are-tested-on-animals/

Seems like if a food claims something ("helps prevent heart attacks!" "boosts omega 3!" "blah blah blah!") there's a test that's been done.
"Those health claims may be the only indication shoppers have that their food may have been tested on animals, but it’s not a given. There is no legal requirement that food companies disclose their use of animal testing, nor are there any certifications or regulations that could communicate they had not. And while the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires that foods be “labeled in a manner that is truthful and not misleading,” phrases like “cruelty free” have no legal definition."

http://theplate.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/30/want-to-know-if-your-food-was-tested-on-animals-good-luck/

Even pet food is animal tested - http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/is-your-pets-food-tested-on-animals/

Whoa....thats what I was afraid of.....animal testing of food without having to disclose to the consumer.

So if a company claims their food has health benefits chances are they have been tested on animals. Thats ironic. The healthier the food the more animals have possibly suffered.

Thanks for the helpful info Robert!

"Animal rights activists are warning consumers that foods advertised as healthy might have something else surprising in common: animal testing. What’s more, there’s almost no way to know for sure"    

Arrrrggghhhh.....the lack of transparency is so frustrating. Im going to do some research and get back to this thread.

Sooo disappointed....l thought at least food was safe (not tested)

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/409256/Food-giants-accused-of-cruel-and-sickening-experiments-in-animal-testing-scandal

l cant get much information on the food testing thing. Seems to be a lesser known fact about animal testing. Its a whole new can of worms really. Ive emailed peta about it. Will let you know what they say.

thanks for the link and info - we should start a Golden Spade Award for info diggin'!

Hahaha....lm a digger from way back...problem is I end up with so much info I get a bit overwhelmed.....but lm addicted to diggin!

Ive been in regular contact with a woman from Peta, shes been helping me with my transition to cruelty free products, wonderfully helpful.

As soon as I heard about animals being tested for food I emailed her asking if she has any info. Strange thing, she hasnt responded to my email which is very unusual.

lm getting an erky feeling that people dont want to go down this road....l guess what are you going to do, not eat? Like l said its a new big can of worms that ppl may not want to look at.

l think I will email the food companies mentioned in the link above, ie nestle and other major ones and see what they respond.

This is such sneaky business, it shits me. Consumers have the right to know yeh!

British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) is now Cruelty Free International
https://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/ and have the Leaping bunny logo/CF program. Even their list does not include food.
This article Food Production and Animal Testing  (see http://www.aboutanimaltesting.co.uk/food-production-animal-testing.html ) supports your theory , " the use of animal testing for foods, food additives, nutritional supplements and sweeteners tripled from 2005 to 2006."

"The trend in recent years to eat healthier foods has led to a massive demand and surge in the marketplace for such products. Ironically, this has led to a similar increase in the number of laboratory animals used for testing of food products, which includes additives and various health formulations. Claims that a specific margarine can aid in cholesterol reduction or that a yogurt can help to improve digestion all require animal testing and then clinical trails to show the validity of the claims prior to their approval."

"As more people become concerned with health and nutrition, the demand for easier improvement of health through nutritionally enhanced foods will likely continue, which unfortunately for animals means that their use will become more important than ever."

Nestle have a webpage on their site about animal testing see -
http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/ask-nestle/answers/do-you-test-your-products-on-animals

From http://animalrights.about.com/od/vivisection/a/cruelty-free.htm
Companies v. Products

It is important to distinguish between whether a specific company tests on animals and whether a specific ingredient or product has ever been tested on animals. To expect that an ingredient has never been tested on animals is unrealistic, because centuries of animal experimentation mean that almost every substance, even those that are natural and generally considered safe, has been tested on animals at some point in history. Instead of focusing on whether an ingredient or product has ever been tested on animals, ask whether the company or the supplier currently conducts animal testing.

Australian food safety comes under  the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx