Specialty vegetarian shops have noted that even vegetarians would like to keep the ham as part of the Christmas fare line-up. Johanna Koskinen, sales manager at the eco-shop Ruohonjuuri (Grassroots) says the popularity of vege-hams has increased each year.
Substitutes for ham and turkey are imported into Finland from countries such as Germany and the United States. The vegetarian-friendly hams are made from flour gluten or tofu, and other ingredients that can be found in any home kitchen.
In recent years, the authorities have come down hard on misleading food labels. Stringent EU regulations forced the Voimariini spread to be re-named Oivariini, while any product claiming to be rye bread must contain at least 50 percent rye. Ecoshops don’t consider vege-hams to be a case of misleading marketing.
“Perhaps the primary factor would be what ingredients are used as a substitute for ham,” explained Koskinen.
