Ital

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Ital or I-tal is food approved of in the Rastafari movement. The word derives from the English word vital, with the initial syllable replaced by the word I. This is done to many words in the Rastafarian vocabulary to signify the unity of the speaker with all of nature.

Early adherents adopted the dietary laws of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Though there are different interpretations of ital regarding specific foods, the general principle is that food should be natural, or pure, and from the earth. Rastas therefore avoid food which is chemically modified or contains artificial additives (e.g., colour, flavourings, and preservatives). Some also avoid added salt in foods. In strict interpretations, foods that have been produced using chemicals such as pesticides and fertiliser are not considered ital.

In common with religions such as Judaism, Islam, and Ethiopian Christianity, Rasta prohibits the eating of pork. Some Rastas also avoid eating shellfish because, in common with pigs, they are considered to be scavengers. Most Rastas consider the ital diet to forbid the consumption of all red meat, many do not eat fish or those fish over twelve inches in length, and some are strict vegetarians. Stricter interpretations would also avoid food that has been preserved by canning or drying and even prohibit the use of metal cooking utensils. Foodstuffs such as grass and other herbal remedies are permitted within this diet. In this case, only clay and wood cooking pots, crockery and cutlery would be used. Few adherents of ital follow the strictest interpretation; some Rastas do not adhere to them at all.