If flesh were not considered as food, there would then be no destruction of living creatures. It is for the sake of the eater that the destruction of living creatures is carried on in the world.
अभक्ष्यमेतदिति वै इति हिंसा निवर्तते। खादकार्थमतो हिंसा मृगादीनां प्रवर्तते॥