Vegetarianism is a strict discipline. Whether practised due to consideration for animals or for reasons prescribed by religion, vegetarians are very mindful of what is in their food. But this is often taken for granted and there is a firm mindset that the food you order should be what’s presented.

This was not so for a Pietermaritzburg resident Mr NP Naidoo who makes weekly visits to Estcourt.
The strict vegetarian was horrified to find that he had bitten into a ham and cheese sandwich, which he thought was the cheese and tomato sandwich he had ordered and bought at a local supermarket.

A distraught Mr Naidoo explains: “At about 11.30am on Tuesday, September 16, I went into the store and asked for a cheese and tomato sandwich. I was told that there weren’t any but was reassured that one would be made for me and that I should continue with my shopping. I received the sandwich and shared it with someone else. When I bit into my sandwich…Oh no! I saw it was ham, cheese and tomato.”

Mr Naidoo was devastated, calling it an ‘irreversible situation’. After reporting the sandwich slip up to the store, Mr Naidoo was offered an apology. “Yes, mistakes happen,” he said. “But this is an irreversible situation. I am a vegetarian and for us Hindus pork and beef is taboo,” he added whilst wiping the sweat from his face.
Mr Naidoo said that he had approached the newspaper to alert the community of his experience. “People must double check the food that they order is what they receive. I should have done this but took it for granted, which I regret,” he concluded.