The hot issue of hot cross buns

[Glenda]

Have read two articles about hot cross buns today - the first one from the UK, the second NZ.
::)


Hot cross banned: councils decree buns could be 'offensive' to non-Christians
By Chris Hastings and Elizabeth Day
Last Updated: 6:18pm GMT 15/03/2003

Schools across Britain have been ordered by local authorities to abandon the ancient tradition of serving hot cross buns at Easter so as not to offend children of non-Christian faiths.

Some councils are refusing to hand out the traditional treats because they fear that the symbol of the cross will spark complaints from Jewish, Hindu and Muslim pupils or their families.

Officials in the London borough of Tower Hamlets decided to remove the buns from menus this year after criticism over its decision to serve pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. A spokesman for the Labour-run council claimed that there had been "a lot" of complaints but did not have a figure.

The spokesman added: "We are moving away from a religious theme for Easter and will not be doing hot cross buns. We can't risk a similar outcry over Easter like the kind we had on Pancake Day. We will probably be serving naan breads instead."

In the past, invidivual schools have taken the decision to not serve hot cross buns, but this is the first time local authorities across the country have imposed blanket bans.

Liverpool council, which is controlled by the Liberal Democrats, also told The Telegraph that the symbol of the cross had the "potential to offend" and buns will no longer be served to children.

Despite this ruling, the council confirmed that it will continue to organise special menus to celebrate events as diverse as the Chinese New Year, Italian National Day and Russian Independence Day.

Other councils not serving hot cross buns include York, where Labour is the largest group, and Wolverhampton, which is Labour-run. Officials in Wakefield, which is also controlled by Labour, have decided it would be more appropriate to tailor the Easter menu to information technology.

more on http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...16/nbuns16.xml


Hot cross buns 'a health risk'
11:25AM Tuesday March 20, 2007
By Duncan Brown

Hot cross buns have become the latest target of the fun police.

The seasonal treat now comes with a health warning labelling it as fuel for the ever-growing obesity epidemic.

Diabetes New Zealand has warned that hot cross buns are equivalent to two to three slices of bread. It advised readers of its magazine to chose a smaller bun or just eat half a bun. ?But bakers are hitting back saying it's not what we're eating, it's how we're eating.

Jason Heaven of Heaven's Bakery in Hawkes Bay, the winning bakery in the 2006 Bakels Supreme Pie Awards, said people need to remember hot cross buns were a treat, not a meal.

"Hot cross buns are an indulgence food and not something you would eat a lot of," Mr Heaven said. ?"As with all indulgence foods, you should eat them in moderation."

Hot cross buns are already available in supermarkets and bakeries, almost a month before Easter.

Mr Heaven said many of the buns found in bakeries were made using more traditional recipes including sultanas and spices, but market demand meant supermarkets tended to add more sugar, preservatives and sometimes chocolate chips, mostly to entice children.

While a hot cross bun from a bakery may sell for about $1.50 each, a six-pack on supermarket shelves can retail for as little as $2.29.

more on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/event/stor...ectid=10429788

[MotherBear]

Hot cross banned: councils decree buns could be 'offensive' to non-Christians

I despair, as I have many times before after reading some of the guff that comes out of the UK. ?It feels good to be many thousands of miles away at the moment. ? 8-)

I won't make any comment regarding the NZ entry as I'm having severe problems resisting all the tempting goodies for sale on the bakery counters in the supermarkets. ?I fear I may be taking home some excess baggage around my midriff. ? :(