Are figs actually non-vegetarian? The anjeer debate you need to know

Figs, also known as "anjeer," are a beloved fruit worldwide, often enjoyed fresh or dried. Recently, though, there’s been a heated social media discussion around whether figs should be considered vegan.

Although most plant-based foods are typically vegan, figs are unique due to a specific enzyme resulting from fig wasp pollination, sparking debate about whether they’re “non-vegetarian.”

This conversation took off after actress Shenaz Treasurywala shared a video explaining how figs grow, adding fuel to the vegan debate.

Why are some calling figs non-vegetarian?
In her video, Treasurywala explains that when a fig is pollinated, a female wasp enters the fruit through a small opening, often losing her wings and eventually becoming trapped. She lays her eggs inside and, unable to escape, dies within the fig. When the eggs hatch, the male wasps mate with the females. After mating, the females exit the fig, while the males die inside.

“For every fig consumed, it’s likely that a bee died for it to come to fruition, a fact that some vegetarians are uncomfortable with,” she explains.


Contrary to popular belief, however, figs don’t contain entire dead wasps. The fruit’s enzymes actually break down the wasp, converting it into nutrients for the fig. Still, some vegans label this process “non-vegetarian” due to the involvement of an insect’s life in the pollination process.

Interestingly, not all figs undergo this wasp pollination process. Many farmers use plant hormones to pollinate figs without relying on wasps, making this method a more vegan-friendly option. Despite this, some people, including members of the Jain community, choose to avoid figs since it’s often hard to differentiate between naturally and artificially pollinated figs.

So, while figs may not technically contain any insect remains, the unique way they grow makes them a grey area for some in the vegan and vegetarian communities.