Read more: Nicki Minaj Launches Range Of Barbie Pink Vegan Sneakers

The limited edition sauce is in collaboration with Mattel, the owners of the Barbie brand, and it was released to celebrate Barbie’s 65th birthday. 

The launch comes in the wake of the huge success of the Barbie film last year. It starred Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, and it became the highest grossing film of 2023 with its USD $1.36 billion earnings. Soon after the film’s release, Heinz posted a mock up of a Barbie-themed sauce to Instagram – and decided to bring it to life after huge public demand.

“Barbie well and truly won the hearts of Brits all over again last year, and after seeing the reaction this sauce brought to our fans on social media, we knew we had to make it a reality,” said Thiago Rapp, director of taste elevation at Heinz. “We’re always looking for ways to innovate and give our fans what they want, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring this iconic partnership with Mattel to life.”

On its website, Heinz describes the sauce as “the perfect pink pairing for burgers and brings extra smokiness to everything from chips to pizzas.” The mayo is available to buy at Tesco stores and online at Heinz to Home. 

Read more: 10 Vegan Sandwich Ideas

Heinz embraces veganism

The Barbie sauce is the latest in a long line of vegan products from Heinz. Some of Heinz’s most famous products – including Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, and Baked Beans – are all accidentally vegan. Heinz has also previously released plant-based versions of many of its non-vegan best-sellers.

It released egg and dairy free takes on its famous Mayonnaise and Salad Cream back in 2020, a decision that the company said was driven by the rise in veganism and flexitarianism. 

In 2022, Heinz announced that launch of vegan versions of its iconic Cream of Tomato Soup, as well as a meat-free Beanz and Vegan Sausages tin. “Our incredibly exciting (and incredibly delicious) Heinz plant-based innovations have been several years in the making to provide the iconic taste of Heinz, but now plant-based!” Manel Jordão, brand manager at Heinz, said in a statement at the time. 

Read more: How To Make This Gluten-Free Asparagus Quiche (With A Quinoa Crust)

The post Heinz Unveils ‘Barbie’ Sauce: A Pink Vegan BBQ Mayo appeared first on Plant Based News.

The inaugural Vegan Animal Rights Conference (VARC) combines workshops and panels led by industry experts with networking opportunities and information on impactful advocacy. Taking place over two days, VARC has over 43 different sessions in total.

Read more: Vegan Women Summit Announces Celebrity Speakers and More for 2024

The event aims to unify and energize the vegan and animal rights movement by connecting activists of all kinds and fostering a sense of “shared purpose” through talks and activities.

The organizers say that VARC “promises to be an inspiring gathering, aiming to ignite new initiatives, strengthen ongoing efforts, and enhance the sense of community among advocates for animal rights and veganism in the UK.”

Speaking to Plant Based News (PBN) VARC Founder and Director Liz Flynn said: “The UK is a hive of animal rights and vegan advocacy, imagine what we could achieve with our own conference here, dedicated to looking at our unique challenges and opportunities.”

There are now approximately 2.5 million vegans in the UK, a 1.1 million person increase compared to 12 months ago. Meat consumption fell to record lows in 2023, and an increasing number of people are moving away from animal diets for their health, the planet, and the animals.

What is the Vegan Animal Rights Conference about?

Along with Flynn, VARC was co-founded by Emily Huang and Esther Salomon, who have collectively spent years within UK animal rights working on training and leadership development, direct action, strategizing, and mobilization in various parts of the movement.

Read more: Vegandale Is Coming To The UK – How To Get Tickets

The trio describes VARC as a strictly grassroots effort, involving many different people working in their free time to design and organize. In a statement on the event’s website, Flynn, Huang, and Salomon write: “Each of us believes that in order to achieve animal liberation, the movement needs many people working on a variety of different strategies.”

These different strategies include – and combine – both corporate campaigning and direct action, challenging laws and disrupting the food industry through alternative proteins. The organizers add that VARC welcomes both established strategies and “novel” ones.

“The strength of our movement lies in our diversity and unity. With VARC 2024, we aim to showcase the incredible range of voices and tactics within our community, demonstrating that there is not just one way to advocate for animal rights, but a multitude that can unite to form a powerful force for change,” explained Flynn.

VARC aims to ‘challenge, inspire, and educate’

The event will begin with a keynote speech titled “Lessons from 30 Years of Vegan Advocacy” by Generation Vegan’s Director of Communications Kate Fowler, while panel discussions range from “How We Can Use Science to Improve Public Support for Animal Freedom” to “Why We Need to Work Effectively With the Farming Community.”

“We’ve curated sessions that challenge, inspire, and educate. From undercover investigations to legal battles for animal rights, each session is a piece of the larger puzzle of advocacy. It’s about showing the multifaceted ways we can fight for change,” said Flynn.

Other speakers and discussion leaders include Plant Based Universities’ Regional Co-ordinator Alistair Stewart; Humane Society UK’s Senior Public Affairs Manager Amro Hussain; Animal Justice Project founder Claire Palmer; Animal Think Tank founder Laila Kassam; Viva!’s Head of Investigations Lex Rigby; and ALF founder Ronnie Lee.

For the full VARC agenda including timing, read on here.

Vegan Animal Rights Conference 2024: dates, location, tickets, and more

The inaugural VARC will take place at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel from April 13 – 14, 2024.

Ticket prices are tiered depending on income from GBP £89 per person up to £168. (There is also an option to donate an additional £10 plus fees to subsidize someone else’s entry.)

Read more: The UK Is About To Open Its ‘First Ever’ Vegan Theater

“VARC 2024 is more than an event; it’s a beacon for change in the animal rights and vegan community. We’re crafting a space where advocacy meets action, knowledge meets passion, and individuals become a movement,” added Flynn.

Find more information on the VARC website here and purchase tickets here.

The post A Major New Vegan Conference Is Coming To The UK – How To Get Tickets appeared first on Plant Based News.

The Garlinge Theater, which has a capacity of 300, is located near an organic farm. Anyone visiting or renting the theater will not be allowed to eat or drink animal products on the premises. 

The building was previously a Steiner school, a kind of educational establishment that specializes in “holistic” learning focusing on intellectual, artistic, and practical development. The school closed down last year, but a new similar school will open on one part of the site, reports Kent Online. The theater will be in the school’s arts building, which has been redeveloped. 

The theater is a cooperative between actor Alison Harris, her partner and Swale councillor Terry Thompson, as well as the head of the new school, James Osbiston.

A ‘UK first’ vegan theater

According to the owners, the theater will only serve ethically sourced food and drink. They will also make sure it’s “as local as possible.”

Speaking about the reasoning behind the theater being vegan, councillor Thompson said: “We need to reduce cruelty and industrial agriculture.

“What we should be moving towards is an organic and non-cruel system that would free up land for food production.”

Thompson, who has been vegan for 22 years, said that they would not advertise the vegan aspect of the theater on every production promotion, but that it will be “underlying so people can ask questions.”

The theater will also raise money for animal charities through its productions. It’s set to open its doors next month.

A fundraising event, with live musical performances, is being planned for March 31. Find out more information here.

More like this:

• ‘I Could Never Go Vegan’: How To Watch The Hugely Anticipated Documentary
• Vegandale Is Coming To The UK – How To Get Tickets
• Vegan Chef Wins Fish Challenge On Great British Menu

The post The UK Is About To Open Its ‘First Ever’ Vegan Theater appeared first on Plant Based News.

Among other stark findings, the report reveals that no single stretch of river in England or Northern Ireland is in good overall health.

Animal agriculture is a leading cause of water pollution in the UK. Farming contributes towards nearly two thirds of river failures, the report notes, impacting 2,337 river stretches.

Earlier this month, the charity River Action took the Environment Agency to court for failing to stop chicken manure polluting the River Wye.

“Desperate” times for UK rivers

As well as no English rivers being in good overall health, the report found that 85 percent of river stretches fall below good “ecological standards.” More rivers got worse than better since the last report in 2019.

Animals suffer from the UK’s poor water quality too. Some struggle to find food or the right habitat because of “cloudiness.” Moreover, excess sediment from soil erosion “can clog the gills of fish.”

Water pollution part of animal agriculture’s destructive legacy

The rise of “mega-farms” has increased the amount of manure polluting the UK’s rivers. Animal agriculture is causing environmental woes around the world.

From deforestation in the Amazon to environmental racism in the US, farming animals has devastating impacts on people and planet.

Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 16.5 percent of GHG emissions. It is also a major drain on water and other resources.

More like this:

• How Meat Emissions Can Lead To More Intensive Animal Farming
• Amazon Rainforest Faces ‘Unprecedented Stresses’ As Tipping Points Near
• World’s First Year-Long Breach of 1.5C Limit: What Does It Mean?

The post New Report Reveals ‘Desperate State’ Of UK Rivers appeared first on Plant Based News.

The study reveals the growing accessibility and preference for vegan options in UK restaurants, particularly in major cities. In Birmingham, more than six in 10 adults are pleased with the range of plant-based options on restaurant menus.

Cities including Manchester and London also scored highly (62 percent satisfaction). Liverpool and Leicester completed the top five, with 60 percent and 55 percent respectively.

A spokesperson for Viva! said in a statement: “In the UK we’re lucky to have such a diverse range of eateries on our doorstep. It’s great to see some of the big cities in the UK leading the way when it comes to the number of plant-based options available as they are the most environmentally friendly option.”

Veganism on the rise

Veganism has experienced a remarkable surge in popularity in the past decade. From what was once a niche lifestyle choice, veganism is now a mainstream way of living.

With millions of vegans and many more followers of a plant-based diet, the movement has grown rapidly and, with that, has also become increasingly accessible.

Earlier this month, a study showed that there are 1.1 million more vegans in the UK than a year ago.

From high-profile documentaries to celebrity endorsements, veganism has well and truly burst into the mainstream.

Birmingham is the easiest place to be vegan

The research involved gathering insights from 2,000 individuals, half of whom are vegan.

Respondents, including meat-eaters, cited health benefits, environmental concerns, and cost-effectiveness as key reasons for choosing meat-free meals.

All this extra demand has spurred innovation and a significant improvement in the variety and quality of vegan food options available in supermarkets and restaurants, and cafes. As such, veganism has become more accessible and appealing than ever before.

Indeed, the study underscores the importance of offering vegan options in all restaurants.

Almost four in five respondents from Birmingham believe that it’s important for local eateries to provide a wide range of vegan options on the menu.  

The Top 5 Places To Be Vegan:

• Birmingham (63 percent) 
• London (62 percent) 
• Manchester (62 percent) 
• Liverpool (60 percent) 
• Leicester (55 percent) 

More like this:

• New List Ranks UK’s Most Affordable Vegan Cities
• The Top 20 Vegan Cities In The World Revealed By HappyCow
• Most Vegan-Friendly City In The US Unveiled

The post This Is The Easiest City In The UK To Be Vegan, Says Study appeared first on Plant Based News.

According to a new report by Compassion in World Farming, an animal welfare charity, the UK has seen a 20 percent rise in US-style “mega-farms” for chickens and pigs since 2016.

While many people associate animal agriculture with green pastures, this is far from the reality of modern-day UK farming. In total, more than 85 percent of animals in the UK are now raised on factory farms.

As well as cruel to the animals, mega-farms can have a devastating impact on human and environmental health.

Anthony Field, from Compassion in World Farming, said in a statement: “Megafarms are often hidden from public view. This Investigation shines a spotlight on their rising numbers, clearly illustrating the desperate, broken, and unsustainable food system we have created.”

US-style mega-farms in the UK

Despite government promises to move away from mega-farms, the UK has seen large-scale intensive farming increase in the past decade.

A mega-farm in the UK is roughly equivalent to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in the US. To qualify for the label, farms need to pack in huge numbers of animals. A pig mega-farm must have 2,500 or more pigs. For dairy cows, the number is 700, while for “beef” cows it’s 1,000. For chickens, the totals are at least 125,000 chickens raised for meat, or 82,000 “egg-laying” hens.

As part of its investigation, Compassion in World Farming released an interactive map that shows the counties with the highest number of confined animals in the intensive farming system. Topping the list are Lincolnshire (35.8 million) Shropshire (27.3 million), and Norfolk (25.7 million).

The situation could yet get worse. A proposal for two new mega-farms in Norfolk is under consideration. Hundreds of local residents have submitted objections.

Health risks abound

Mega-farms pose a major risk to human health. The confinement of so many animals in cramped and crowded spaces creates the perfect breeding ground for diseases to spread and evolve.

Factory farms are a leading contributor to antibiotic resistance. Indeed, a report last year from World Animal Protection UK found that antibiotic overuse on UK factory farms is causing around 2,000 human deaths a year.

Larger numbers of animals also results in more waste. In the US, large-scale pig farming has had devastating impacts on residents of North Carolina. Many have suffered adverse health impacts caused by manure spread on fields near their houses.

Mega-farms are an environmental disaster

Similarly, mega-farms have devastating environmental impacts. Notably, feed for intensively farmed chickens and pigs directly causes deforestation in South America.

In the UK, waste runoff from chicken farms have caused massive algal blooms, effectively killing all life in some rivers.

Additionally, as the number of megafarms rises, so too does pollution. For example, sixty percent of fine particulate pollution in the UK comes from ammonia from farms, released from animal manure and synthetic fertilizer. This ammonia drifts to cities and helps create deadly particulate matter.

Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 16.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, some governments and policymakers are trying to use intensification and a shift away from ruminant meat to reduce this. At COP28, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said that measures relating to food systems should “prioritize enhancing the efficiency of production.”

The environmental and health impacts of mega-farms show how dangerous further intensification of animal agriculture could be. Instead, a plant-based food system would provide a sustainable solution for animals, humans, and planet.

More like this:

• UK Factory Farming Is Booming – When Will We Stop Romanticizing Our ‘Animal Welfare’?
• Joey Carbstrong Releases New Documentary ‘Pignorant’ – How To Watch It
• Duck Factory Farming Exposed In New Investigation

The post The ‘Shocking’ Rise In US-Style Mega-Farms In The UK appeared first on Plant Based News.

So, with a luxurious but still affordable celebration in mind, here’s where to buy the best vegan Valentine’s Day meal deals of 2024. Because nothing says “I love you” and “I am fiscally responsible” like a budget-conscious vegan meal deal. (Cheers, Aldi.)

Vegan Valentine’s Day meals in the UK

The meal deal has been a British staple since Boots introduced it in the mid-80s, and in recent years supermarkets have expanded their ready meal and “takeout” sections to include mix-and-match main meals – complete with starters and desserts – for all occasions.

Combined with the rapid growth of the plant-based food market (around 25 million people likely participated in Veganuary this year), it’s no wonder that supermarkets have introduced plenty of meat-free variations on these meal deal-style dinners. (Most of the supermarkets below also launched new products to coincide with Veganuary, too.)

Here are the best vegan Valentine’s Day meal deals of 2024.

Aldi

Budget supermarket chain Aldi has set out to “pull on the heartstrings rather than purse strings” with these budget-friendly Valentine’s Day meal deals. The “Vegan Valentine” option costs just £4.73 per person without wine, and £7.22 with. It includes:

• Specially Selected Gastro Mushroom Arancini (£2.99) to share
• Specially Selected Vegan Pie (£1.99) x 2
• Vegan Chocolate Brownie (£2.49) to share
• Optional: Vegan Prosecco Frizzante (£4.99)

Tesco

At Tesco, vegan diners have a variety of different options to choose from. Several options are not explicitly labeled vegan but include no animal-derived ingredients, which we have included below as well. (Such as the Tesco Finest Rainbow Plum Tomatoes In Balsamic Glaze.) Three courses cost £18 with a Clubcard.

• Tesco Finest Mediterranean Antipasti Platter (£4.50)
• Tesco Finest Porcini Mushroom Arancini with Black Garlic Dip (£4.50)
• Tesco Finest Harissa Butternut Galette (£7.50)
• Tesco Finest Rainbow Plum Tomatoes in Balsamic Glaze (£2.75)
• Tesco Finest Chunky Chips (£2.75)
• Gu Zillionaire Vegan Pot (£3.95)
• Nozeco Rosé 750ml (£3.50)
• Bottle Green 2 X 750ml (£5.80)
• Peroni Nastro Azzurro Lager Beer (£5.75)

Marks & Spencer

The Marks & Spencer “Valentine’s Dine In” option is available 9 – 14 February in stores and also combines a starter, main, side, dessert, and either a bottle of wine or two soft drinks. At £25, the supermarket’s offering isn’t the most budget-friendly option, but it might be one of the most luxurious.

• Tempura Veg Fritters (mixed veggies and chrysanthemum greens in crispy tempura batter with a black rice vinegar dipping sauce)
• Mushroom Stroganoff Pie (mushrooms cooked in a creamy brandy and truffle sauce)
• Asparagus
• Chocolate and Caramel Pots (chocolate ganache topped with caramel sauce and cocoa nibs)
• Conte Priuli Prosecco, Conte Priuli Rosé, Conte Priuli Veneto Blush, and any of Marks & Spencer’s own brand wines – all vegan – included in the deal

Asda

Asda describes its “Bistro Dine-in” for two meal deals as “restaurant quality.” The supermarket’s offer includes a starter, main, two sides, dessert, and an accompanying drink of choice for just £12. Asda also specifically highlights its vegan main dish, a Chestnut Mushroom Stroganoff Pie, which is a brand-new product. However, none of the starters listed on the Asda website and only one side and one main are suitable for vegans.

One additional Valentine-themed dish can be ordered vegan, though it’s not included in the Bistro Dine-in offer: heart-shaped pizzas. Asda’s Valentine Love Heart Pizza is available with vegan cheese and meat-free toppings like corn, bell peppers, and mushrooms.

• Mushroom Stroganoff Pies (£6 for two)
• Triple Cook Chips (£2.50)
• Strawberries with Belgian Chocolate Dip (£2.50)
• Kylie Minogue alcohol-free Rosé (£6)
• Bottlegreen Light Elderflower and Crisp Apple (£6)
• Valentine Love Heart Pizzas (around £4 per pizza)

Morrisons

Morrison’s Valentine’s Day offerings include several vegan options including starters and sides, and the supermarket says at £15 for Morrisons Members and online shoppers the deal saves its customers over £20 compared to the normal retail price.

• Chipotle Cauliflower Wings (£2.99)
• Plant Revolution Roasted Mushroom Pâté (£4.49)
• Miso Mushroom Stuffed Butternut Squash (£4.99)
• Greens, Beans and Carrots with a lemon & parsley dressing (£2.75)
• Maple Roasted Carrot & Parsnips (£2.75)
• Chunky Chips (£2.75)
• Gu Zillionaires Cheesecake (£3.95)
• The Best Sicilian Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, Ginger Beer, Apple and Elderflower, or Elderflower Presse (£1.99 each)
• Menestrello Prosecco Spumante (£8.50)

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has launched a vegan Valentine’s meal for two for £15, which features a number of starters, mains, and desserts. The options are as follows (all the food, plus one drinks option, is part of the deal).

• Vegetable Bao Buns (£4)
• No Beef Wellington (£6.75)
• Chunky Triple Cook Chips (£2.75) or Rainbow Chard Vegetable Medley (£2.75)
• Love Chocolate Tortes (£3.35)
• Shloer Pink Non Alcoholic Bubbly (£3.85)
• Appletiser (£4.45 for 6 x 250ml)
• Lucky Saint lager (£6 for 4 x 330ml)
• Winemaker’s Collection Pinot Grigio, Rosé, or Merlot (£7 each)
• Taste the Difference Prosecco (£8.50)
• Bottlegreen Light Elderflower and Crisp Apple (£5.80)

Waitrose

The Waitrose dine-in for two meal includes a starter, main, and dessert, along with either wine, a cocktail, or chocolates (note: non-vegan), for £20. One notable product included in the offer is Juicy Marbles Thick Cut Fillets, a pack of two vegan steaks made using soy protein concentrate and fortified with B12 and iron. Check the Waitrose website for a full list of wine and drinks available as part of the Valentine’s Day offer.

• Plant Living Spinach Ravioli (£3.40)
• Juicy Marbles Thick Cut Fillet (£9)
• Plant Living No Beef Bourguignon (£8)
• Green Vegetable Medley (£3.50)
• White Rabbit Garlicky Focaccine (£3.70)
• Waitrose Frites (£2.60)
• Waitrose Beetroot Salad (£2)
• Mediterranean Roasting Vegetables (£2.75)
• Waitrose Classic Fruit Salad (£3.50)
• Tails Cocktails Rum Daiquiri (£16)
• Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc (£15.99)
• Thomson & Scott Noughty Alcohol-Free Organic Sparkling Wine (£9.50)
• Tails Cocktails Passion Fruit Martini or Espresso Martini (£16 each)

More like this:

• From McDonald’s To Taco Bell: The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Fast Food
• Valentine’s Day Cranberry Chocolate Truffles
• Aldi Launches Huge Vegan Cheese Range – Including Feta And Camembert

The post The Best Vegan Valentine’s Day Supermarket Meal Deals For 2024 appeared first on Plant Based News.

Wendy’s has definitely hinted at the possibility of a dedicated vegan or plant-based meat burger. CEO and director Todd Penegor acknowledged the global demand for plant proteins during a 2019 earnings conference, where he noted that the brand was “taking a hard look at what the options would be for us at the restaurant” in relation to plant-based ingredients.

“Clearly there is growth out there in plant-based proteins and we believe that it is a trend that will be here to stay,” said Penegor. “We want to do it the Wendy’s way. Something that is unique to Wendy’s. Our culinary team continues to look at various options. [Plant-based protein] is probably something we need to look at, and will look at, into the future.”

While Wendy’s is yet to explicitly label any of its menu items as vegan, there are a few plant-forward options if customers want to go meat-free. (Plus you can always go full fast-food hacks and order yourself a French fry sandwich…)

Please note: you should always check with your server before ordering any meal. While many menu items are made from plant-based ingredients, cross-contamination may occur. Some restaurants may also use the same grill for meat and vegan products.

Wendy’s UK vegan menu

Vegan Wendy’s sides

In both the UK and the US Wendy’s fries are made without animal ingredients and fried in vegetable oil, making them plant-based. However, the oil the fries are cooked in may be shared with other menu items that do contain animal ingredients – so whether you feel this fits your lifestyle or not is ultimately down to personal preference.

Customers can also order baked or Breakfast Potatoes and specify no butter, cheese, or sour cream. Instead try ordering with chives, salsa, avocado, or one of the vegan-friendly Wendy’s sauces – ketchup (packets only), sweet and sour, BBQ, and mustard. (The Pomegranate Vinaigrette and Champagne Vinaigrette salad dressings are also vegan.)

If you’re looking for something green to pair a portion of fried potatoes with, Wendy’s veggie salad options can be easily adapted to make them vegan-friendly. (Leave off the honey-roasted pecans and almonds.) Below are some options that are made with plant-based ingredients:

• French fries
• Breakfast Potatoes
• Baked potato (no butter)
• Apple Bites

Vegan Wendy’s drinks

Wendy’s also serves all the usual fast-food beverages, including bottled water and soft drinks like Coke, Sprite, and Fanta. Tea and coffee can be ordered either hot or iced but must be served black as Wendy’s does not yet offer plant milk yet.

• Bottled water
• Sprite Zero
• Orange Fanta
• Coca Cola Zero
• Diet Coke
• Black tea
• Americano
• Espresso

Wendy’s US vegan menu

Vegan sides at Wendy’s US

The vegan-friendly sides at US Wendy’s are almost identical to those in the UK. Customers can order from fries, Breakfast potatoes, baked potatoes, and salads by requesting the restaurant leaves off any non-vegan ingredients. Though, again, always check if they are cooked in the same oil as meat.

However, the specific salad options may vary. For example, the Apple Pecan Chicken Salad can be ordered without the chicken, blue cheese, or honey-roasted pecans, and the Summer Strawberry Salad can be ordered minus the chicken, bacon, or almonds.

Southwest Avocado Salad and Taco Salad are each vegan-adaptable too – providing you order without chicken, cheese, or bacon, and chili, cheese, or sour cream, respectively.

The Garden Salad can also be made vegan-friendly by leaving out the cheese and croutons, which contain dairy milk. Some of the salad ingredients – e.g. apple slices, avocado, tomatoes, or strawberries – may also be available to order or added separately.

• French fries
• Breakfast Potatoes
• Baked potato
• Apple Pecan Chicken Salad (minus the chicken, cheese, and nuts)
• Southwest Avocado Salad (minus chicken, cheese, and bacon)
• Taco Salad (minus chili, cheese, and sour cream)
• Garden Salad (minus cheese and croutons)
• Strawberry Summer Salad (minus bacon, chicken, cheese, and almonds)
• Component salad ingredients, including lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries

Vegan drinks at Wendy’s US

In the US, customers can order a wide selection of brand name soft drinks in addition to Hi-C juices or lemonade in traditional, pineapple, strawberry, and melon flavors.

• Minute Maid Light Lemonade
• All Natural lemonade (original flavor)
• Blueberry Pomegranate lemonade
• Pineapple Mango lemonade
• Strawberry lemonade
• Honest Kids Fruit Punch
• Simply Orange Juice
• Coca Cola
• Coca Cola Zero
• Diet Coke
• Sprite
• Dr. Pepper
• Fanta Orange
• Barq’s Root Beer
• Hi-C Flashin’ Fruit Punch
• Hot coffee
• Iced coffee
• Cold brew coffee
• Iced tea
• Sweet tea

Vegan burgers at Wendy’s

While Wendy’s has dabbled with several different plant-based and meat-free options, the North American and UK menus are both yet to include a permanent vegan meat patty – in direct contrast to competitors like Burger King, McDonald’s, and KFC. The UK has a veggie bean burger, but this features mayo and dairy cheese.

Where’s the vegan beef, you ask? The fast-food chain did trial a plant-based beef-style patty called the Plantiful Burger at select Canadian locations for a limited time in 2020, though the meat-free option received a mixed response and has not been seen in Canada or the US.

The fast-food chain did trial a Spicy Black Bean Burger in Jackson, Columbus, and Pittsburgh in July 2021, which had a vegan-friendly patty when ordered without cheese and mayonnaise and was thought to be a modern take on an earlier bean burger idea. However, the Spicy Bean Burger was also discontinued after a limited time.

In terms of “mains,” that leaves North American customers ordering a fast-food-hacks-style vegan bun, salad, and potato-based side of choice, and then building their own sandwich. Delicious, certainly, but arguably lacking in protein until Wendy’s adds another patty.

• Ask for a side salad and fries served inside a burger bun
• Request a modified side salad served over a portion of fries or potatoes
  

More like this:

• The Best Totally Vegan Fast Food Restaurants In The UK And USA
• Leading Restaurateur Says Fast Food’s Future Is Vegan
• Criticising Vegan Fast Food For Being ‘Unhealthy’ Is Missing The Point

The post What’s Vegan At Wendy’s? All The Plant-Based Menu Options appeared first on Plant Based News.

While the company’s main doughnut dominance is to be found in the USA, rivaled only by Krispy Kreme, there are now 34 Dunkin’ locations in the UK, and a lucrative 2014 sponsorship deal with Liverpool FC did no harm in raising its stock across the Atlantic. The international chain began in 1950 when founder William Rosenberg made doughnuts for the people of Quincy, Massachusetts, and he noticed many of them would dunk his doughnuts into cups of coffee. Hence the name, as he made it his mission to offer a combination of doughnuts and coffee across the United States. 

Three vegan doughnut flavors for the UK

Doughnut lovers in the UK have three vegan flavors to choose from in time for Veganuary 2024, available from Dunkin’ stores in most of England’s major cities, including Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield and several more. 

First up is the Original Glazed. Arguably the signature doughnut style, it’s a glazed hole-style doughnut. Dunkin’ describes this one as “a classic reborn, now completely plant-powered. It’s the OG glaze with a compassionate twist.” 

Second is the Boston Crème, one for the chocolate lovers. Gone is the hole, replaced with Bavarian cream filling, and topped with chocolate. “Dive into a sea of creamy bliss without a drop of dairy. This Boston Crème, a UK favourite, is flavour-packed adding layers of decadence!”

Last but not least is Strawberry Rainbow, a donut that will quickly bring The Simpsons to mind for many. It’s the famous pink doughnut, thanks to its strawberry icing, finessed with rainbow sprinkles. Dunkin’ says: “Experience a pop of strawberry goodness in every bite without compromising your vegan values.”

A successful vegan launch in Belgium

Dunkin’ first tested the waters in Western Europe, with not three, but 41 vegan doughnut flavors at its locations in Belgium. The launch took place in 2021, and the vegan options are still readily available, which include Vanilla Cookie, Cinnamon Swirl, and Raspberry Crumble. 

Other vegan options at Dunkin’ UK and USA

One of the reasons Dunkin’ dropped the “Donuts” from its title in 2019 was to be clear that Dunkin’ offers much more than just doughnuts, and this is good news for those in the USA. While the country does not yet have vegan doughnuts, US locations do have savoury items that are not available in the UK or Belgium at present.

Other vegan items available at Dunkin’ UK

As mentioned earlier, Dunkin’ is very keen to be known for its coffee as well as its fried dough items, and to make sure vegans don’t miss out, hot beverages can be ordered with either oat milk, almond milk or coconut milk. 

As Dunkin’ UK only otherwise sells bakery items, none of which are plant-based at present, that is the vegan selection as it stands. 

What’s vegan at Dunkin’ USA?

While Dunkin’ fans in the United States have been requesting vegan donuts for several years now, they can take solace in the fact that they conversely have the most vegan options available. Note that the breakfast sausage sandwich, which used the Beyond Meat Sausage, was only a temporary menu item in 2019. However, due to its success, Dunkin’ has said they are open to working with Beyond Meat again.

Here are all the USA vegan options at Dunkin’, with details of which swaps to make when necessary:

• Bagels: Cinnamon Raisin, Sesame, Plain, Everything
• English Muffin
• Oatmeal (at select locations)
• Avocado Toast
• Hash Browns

Hot drinks and iced versions below offer almond, oat, and coconut milk as dairy alternatives.

• Hot/Iced Americano
• Hot/Iced Coffee  
• Hot/Iced Lattes  
• Hot/Iced Chai Latte  
• Hot/Iced Matcha Latte  
• Hot/Iced Macchiato  
• Espresso
• Cold Brew  
• Vanilla, Hazelnut, Toasted Almond, Blueberry, Raspberry, Coconut Flavor Shots
• Mocha Swirl
• Hot/Iced Tea  
• Dunkin’ Refreshers
• Dunkin’ Coconut Refreshers
• Dunkin’ Energy Punch
• Coolatta Frozen Beverages in Strawberry and Blue Raspberry

More like this:

• Krispy Kreme Vegan Doughnuts: All The Plant-Based Options
• The Best Vegan Donuts To Buy In The USA And UK
• Greggs Brings Back Vegan Steak Bake – Here’s How To Get It

The post Dunkin’ Unveils Vegan Doughnut Range in UK appeared first on Plant Based News.

Utilizing a comprehensive analysis of Google search data, listings of vegan restaurants on HappyCow, and the availability of vegan takeaway options on Deliveroo, the research scored the 20 largest UK cities on a scale of 100.

Brighton came out on top, followed by Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh.

Richard Judge, LNER’s Head of Customer Experience, said in a statement: “For those looking to explore vegan options in the UK this year, our research features some of the most vegan-friendly hotspots and our local restaurant recommendations, ensuring you have a true culinary journey to remember.”

Brighton is the UK’s most vegan city

The research placed Brighton at the summit with a score of 86.9 out of 100. This was largely the result of its high number of vegan restaurants and takeaways relative to its size.

Manchester followed with a score of 64.9, while Bristol ranked third at 59.9. Previous studies have ranked Bristol as the most-vegan friendly city in the UK.

Other cities scoring highly included Edinburgh (54.5), London (39.4), Glasgow (33.9), and York (33.0). Liverpool (25.5), Cardiff (23.7),and Reading (22.8) completed the top 10.

Brighton leads the way in per capita offerings, with 7.9 vegan restaurants and 8.3 vegan takeaways per 100,000 people. Despite ranking fifth, London has the highest total number of vegan restaurants (178) and the vegan takeaway options (48). London was previously crowned the most vegan-friendly city in the world by a separate study.

Veganism on the rise

Another of the study’s key findings was a significant increase in veganism across the UK. Since 2021, the average number of searches for vegan restaurants has surged by 82 percent.

Notably, Glasgow and Edinburgh have witnessed a doubling in searches for vegan restaurants over the past two years.

Judge added: “Our research has shown that searches for vegan terms have increased by more than 80 per cent since 2021, revealing a growing interest in veganism in the UK. On LNER trains, customers can enjoy a wide range of vegan options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Sustainable food and travel

As the climate crisis grows, sustainable living is becoming ever more important to many people. Taking a train instead of a car for medium-length distances can cut your emissions by around 80 percent.

Likewise, choosing plant-based food rather than meat and dairy can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Studies have shown that switching just 30 percent of meat for plant-based alternatives would save enough water to fill 7.5 million swimming pools every year.

More like this:

• Most Vegan-Friendly City In The US Unveiled
• ‘So Much More Efficient’: David Attenborough Promotes Plant-Based Diets
• Exeter Becomes Latest UK City To Encourage Citizens To Eat Plant-Based

The post Brighton Is The UK’s Most Vegan-Friendly City, Study Claims appeared first on Plant Based News.

The plant-based bake features Quorn savoury flavour mycoprotein pieces and onions in a rich gravy. It was hugely popular when it first launched as a limited edition option in January 2020. After it was removed from the menu two years ago, fans flocked to social media urging Greggs to bring it back.

Greggs has been teasing the return of the bake on Instagram over the last few days. The announcement has been met with huge praise on the platform, and many have called on the chain to bring back other popular vegan products like the Sausage, Bean, and CheeZe Melt.

The Vegan Steak Bake will be available in stores nationwide from Thursday, January 4. Fans can also order it via Click + Collect and get it delivered from Just Eat and Uber Eats. The bake costs £2. Greggs has not confirmed if it will be a permanent fixture on the menu, but Plant Based News has reached out to the chain for clarification.

Greggs embraces plant-based food

Greggs, which was founded in Tyneside in the UK in 1939, is one of the country’s most popular food chains. It’s best known for its pastries, which have in the past been very meat-heavy.

In 2019, Greggs sparked national headlines with the release of a vegan version of its famous pork sausage roll. The launch was a huge success, and the chain has now added a wide variety of meat-free items to its menu. For the full Greggs vegan menu, click here.

Visitors to Greggs can now choose from foods including a Vegan Sausage Breakfast roll, Glazed Ring Doughnut, and Sweet Potato & Bhaji Rice.

Veganism in the UK

According to Greggs, the rerelease of the steak is in response to huge demand from vegans in the UK. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of people identifying as vegan in the country quadrupled from 150,000 to 600,000. This January, it’s thought that more people than ever will be eating plant-based for Veganuary.

Greggs isn’t the only mainstream chain to release new meat-free products this month. Burger King UK recently announced the relaunch of its iconic bean burger, while Walkers released three new vegan flavors of crisps. They joined a long list of brands unveiling Veganuary 2024 releases.

More like this:

• What’s Vegan At Dunkin’ Donuts? The Complete Guide to Plant-Based Options
• What’s Vegan At McDonald’s? All The Meatless And Dairy-Free Menu Options
• How To Eat Vegan At Subway: All The Plant-Based Options

The post Greggs Brings Back Vegan Steak Bake – Here’s How To Get It appeared first on Plant Based News.

You can find fully vegan fast food restaurants across the UK and US. But in a sea of big name brands, they can be hard to spot. Here we pick out some gems, run by people who want to make the world better for animals.

Vegan fast food market

Vegan fast food is becoming big business. Awareness is growing that producing plentiful, cheap meat for fast food depends on cruel and environmentally harmful practices. These include intensively farmed fast-growing breeds of chickens and grazing cows on deforested land in the Amazon. 

More people now want to enjoy their fast food without contributing to these problems. Plant-based meat alternatives that taste and feel more like animal-based meat makes this increasingly easy to do.

Globally, the vegan fast food market is worth around USD $25 billion. It is expected to hit $60.4 billion by 2032. Europe and North America account for a large share of the share. Growing ethical, health, and sustainability concerns are also driving growth in countries such as China, Indonesia, and India. 

What is vegan fast food?

Fast food is what it sounds like: food served fast, and usually eaten quickly in the restaurant or as a take-away. Burgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, kebabs, chips – all these familiar fast food items exist in vegan forms. Instead of meat from animals (or being cooked in animal fat), they are simply made from plant-based ingredients.

Some of the plant-based substitutes have become so realistic that they have left meat-eaters stunned. Alison Hammond, host of This Morning on ITV, had one such reaction when she taste-tested vegan chicken nuggets on live TV. “I just can’t believe they taste like chicken. What’s the point of eating chicken when you can eat those?” she said.

Is vegan fast food healthier than regular fast food?

Vegans will eat plant-based fast food because it doesn’t involve harming animals. But meat-eaters often opt for it because they tend to perceive it as healthier than regular fast food made with meat. Is there any truth to this?

The meat-eaters are right that animal-based fast food is pretty unhealthy. It tends to be high in calories, salt, sugar, and saturated fat, while containing little fiber. High-salt diets increase blood pressure, putting stress on the cardiovascular system. Too much saturated fat pushes up cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease. Sugar is major cause of obesity. 

While a Big Mac contains 26 grams of protein, it also contains nearly half the recommended daily intake of saturated fat. It will also give you 37 percent of your recommended salt intake, and 10 percent of your sugar intake. 

One of the criticisms of vegan fast food is that it provides less nutrition but similar quantities of salt and sugar. McDonald’s McPlant burger, for example, has similar salt and sugar content to it’s Big Mac, but less saturated fat and 19 grams of protein.

The evidence for the nutritional quality of plant-based meat compared to animal-based versions of the same products is currently limited and inconclusive. One review of the evidence found some benefits to plant-based alternatives over animal-based ones – e.g. higher fiber content, lower saturated fat – and vice versa.

But another review noted that plant-based alternatives have the advantage of being able to be made “even more nutritionally robust.” This is due to ongoing developments in ingredients and processing, as well as further fortification with minerals and nutrients.

Those worried about plant-based meats being ‘ultra-processed’ can relax. A recent study found that the worst for increasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes were animal-based ultra-processed foods like sausages and ham. Artificially and sugar-sweetened drinks were another big culprit. Meanwhile, no link was found between plant-based alternatives and an increased risk of these diseases.

Still, if you are trying to be healthier, the evidence indicates that a wholefoods plant-based is the best choice.

Vegan fast food restaurants UK

The No Catch Co

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Fish and chips is a British fast food staple. But industrial fishing is destroying marine life and the health of the oceans. That’s why Ed Winters (Earthling Ed) and Kevyn Bourke set up The No Catch Co in 2021.

With a seaside location in Brighton, The No Catch Co serves up vegan versions of fish and chip shop favorites. Cod or haddock with chips, battered sausages, calamari, and “popcorn prawns” are among the tasty options on the menu. The “fish” is made from tofu and is astoundingly fish-like in texture and taste.

Ready Burger

The first Ready Burger opened in Crouch End, north London, in 2021 to bring affordable, vegan fast food to the UK high street. A second location on Finchley Road has since opened.

The restaurants look pretty similar to other fast food joints and serves burgers and meal combos of the sort you would expect to find at McDonald’s. You can get a Bacon Double Cheeseburger, Fillet No Fish Burger, nuggets, fries, and soft drinks. Soft serve ice-cream desserts and donuts are also available. 

Ready Burger uses carbon labeling on its menu so you know what emissions are associated with each item. A Big Ready Burger, for example, produces 0.4 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents (Co2e). By contrast, a Big Mac produces around 2.35 kg of CO2e.

Oowee Vegan

Oowee started out as a pop-up sandwich shop in Bristol in 2016 and morphed into Oowee Diner, an American-style diner. Though Oowee Diner wasn’t vegan, it’s vegan items were such a hit that its owners decided to run with it. Oowee Vegan opened in two Bristol locations in 2019. There are now restaurants in London and Brighton, with plans to expand to every city in the UK.

At Oowee you’ll find Plant-Based Beef Burgers, Fried Chick’n Burgers, and a Symplicity Shroom Burger with all the classic fast food toppings. There are also wraps, Dirty Fries, Loaded Mac’n’Cheese, as well as shakes and churros for dessert.

The Vurger Co

The first Vurger Co restaurant opened in Shoreditch in 2018, two years after first opening as a small market stall. Brighton and Manchester have since gained their own Vurger Co restaurants, and the company has released a cookbook.

Menu highlights include ‘Chicken’ n Waffles, Buffalo ‘Chicken’ Burger, and Tater Tots. The Vurger Co says it saved the equivalent of 15 tons of beef, 500 kg of CO2 and 140 million litres of water by selling vegan burgers in 2019 alone.

Vegan Shack

This “McDonald’s-inspired” fast food restaurant opened in Manchester in 2021, and now has a second location in Croydon’s trendy Box Park. But Vegan Shack actually began life in the flat of co-founders Dimeji and Saffron. They made their first burgers in their own kitchen, using Instagram to receive orders, which they delivered themselves. 

Vegan Shack has an extensive menu reminiscent of McDonald’s. There are breakfast items such as a sausage-style patty in an English muffin, and “Lunch Saver” deals. Burger options include Fillet Faux Fish and Chick’n Burger, with nuggets, tater tots and more for sides.

Vegan fast food restaurants USA

Monty’s Good Burger

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Started by five friends in 2018, Monty’s Good Burger now has five location in Los Angeles. Its menu is simple, sticking to a handful of classic burger, side, and shake options. Its burgers are made with patties and chicken from Impossible.

Monty’s Good Burger’s animal-friendly credentials don’t stop at its completely plant-based menu. It also tries to help rehome companion animals, hosting a Dog and Cat Adoption Drive once a month.

Seasoned Vegan Real Quick

Run by mother and son duo Brenda and Aaron Beener, New York City’s Seasoned Vegan Real Quick serves food to-go only. It emerged out of the Beener’s original Harlem-based Seasoned Vegan restaurant, which had to switch to take-out and delivery only during the pandemic. After their Harlem lease ran out, the new Seasoned Vegan was born.

Seasoned Vegan Real Quick does vegan fast food a little differently. With a menu inspired by southern classics, the “meat” in its vegan takes on po’boys and burgers is made from some unexpected ingredients. The Craw Pretzel Boy features “crawfish” made from fried burdock root. The Harlem Chopped “Cheese” Burger is made with “oat meat” chopped and grilled with ketchup and vegan cheddar. Cupcakes are on sale for dessert, baked by Brenda.

nomoo

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Los Angeles’ nomoo was started by George Montagu Brown when he was just 29. He wanted to prove to people that fast food doesn’t need animal products by showing them how good it could be without them.

Set in a retro-style diner, nomoo serves up classic beef and chicken burgers such as the Plant-Fil-A and BBQ Facon Double. There are also tacos, a Chick’n Caesar Salad, and Shroom Wings. The plant-based meat is made by nomoo and Beyond Meat. 

Mr Charlie’s

Billed as the vegan McDonald’s, Mr Charlie’s does have a similar red and yellow aesthetic, but with an irreverent sad face in place of the famous ‘golden arches’. Founded by three friends who describe themselves as “weird dudes,” Mr Charlie’s has three California locations and one all the way over in Sydney, Australia.

It’s burgers are called things like “Not a Hamburger” and “Not a Cheeseburger”. If you saw one sitting on a plate you’d probably assume it was from McDonald’s. Apart from serving up affordable plant-based burgers, Mr Charlie’s has a social mission. The restaurants employ people transitioning from homelessness, incarceration or addiction.

Vegan fast food restaurants around the world

Soy Boys Burger, Toronto, Canada

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This burger joint is set among the LGBTQ+ quarter of downtown Toronto, catering to hungry club-goers until 3 a.m. Soy Boys Burger has a simple menu; you can choose from a single or double Impossible patty burger, with a side of waffle fries. There are just three flavors of soft serve ice cream available for a sugar hit. 

Eating a Soy Boys burger will also help restore nature. Soy Boys has partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to plant trees in Madagascar.

Flower Burger, Italy, Netherlands, France

The first Flower Burger opened in Milan in 2015, becoming the Italian city’s first vegan burger restaurant. It has now expanded into France and the Netherlands, with one restaurant in Marseille and two in Amsterdam.

Flower Burger make the prettiest burgers you’ll ever see. The buns are yellow, black, purple, pink, and green using natural colorants such as turmeric and beetroot extract. The patties are made from simple plant-based ingredients, such as rice, oats, kidney beans, and mushrooms for the mushroom patty. Sides include breaded aubergine and edamame, and an appetizer of ‘Flower Bombs’ – a breaded mix of seitan and red kidney beans.

Odd Burger, Canada

What started out as a vegan meal service morphed into a fast food truck and eventually bricks and mortar restaurants. Now with three locations and three more coming soon, vegans in Canada will soon have no trouble finding an Odd Burger. The chain was founded by James and Vasiliki McInnes, who opened the world’s first 24-hour vegan drive thru in 2017. Odd Burger now also has its own manufacturing center that produces food for the restaurants and where research and development happens.

The beef-style burgers come with house-made smash patties, while the ChickUn Burgers feature house-made breaded seitan fillets. The menu offers a whole range of loaded fries and tater tots, including the Canadian classic poutine.

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• Can Vegan Fast Food Companies Take On McDonald’s? Welcome Ready Burger
• What’s Vegan At McDonald’s? All The Meatless And Dairy-Free Menu Options

The post The Best Totally Vegan Fast Food Restaurants In The UK And USA appeared first on Plant Based News.

Researchers at Dr. Vegan looked at the average search volume data for the term “vegan” per 100,000 residents in each area. London, which has previously been crowned the “most vegan-friendly city in the world,” didn’t make the top five, instead coming in sixth place. Norwich was the winner, with 952 average monthly searches per 100K residents.

In second place was Cambridge, with 889 average searches per 100,000 residents. Bristol came third, with 790 average searches. 

Tumbridge Wells in Kent was found to be the place that’s least interested in veganism, with just 12 average searches per 100,000 people. 

The UK’s most ‘vegan-obsessed’ cities

The top 10 most “vegan-obsessed” cities (and their average monthly searches per 100,000 residents) is below: 

1. Norwich (952)
2. Cambridge (889)
3. Bristol (790)
4. Bath (752)
5. Brighton and Hove (570)
6. London (560)
7. Glasgow (548)
8. Edinburgh (418)
9. Liverpool (390)
10. Oxford (346)

Norwich is located in Norfolk County in the east of England. According to Happy Cow, it has 127 vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Visit Norwich claims that it’s one of the “top cities in England” for vegan food. It’s all-vegan eateries include a café called Tofurei (which stocks homemade tofu and cakes) and a falafel bar named Moorish. Norwich also features a vegan shop called Little Shop of Vegans, which offers foods like seitan and cashew cheese. 

In March of this year, Norwich became the latest city in the UK to endorse the Plant Based Treaty. The Treaty aims to address the environmental damage caused by the animal food system. While cities that endorse the Treaty don’t go fully plant-based, they do generally make a number of commitments to promote animal-free eating. Norwich vowed to improve access to vegan foods in council-run spaces, such as markets, events, and leisure centers.

Veganism in the UK

The study comes amid growing interest in veganism in the UK. Over the last 10 years, the number of people following the lifestyle has skyrocketed. 

In 2014, it was thought that there were around 150,000 vegans in the country. By 2019, this had quadrupled to 600,000. Some estimates, however, put the number of vegans much higher. 

There is growing awareness of the huge ethical implications of eating animal products in the UK. Around 1.2 billion land animals are killed each year in the country (as well as countless fishes*), and multiple investigations have shown that animals suffer hugely on farms. 

Government data released earlier this year found that the UK population was eating the lowest amount of meat since records began in 1974. 

As well as changing dietary habits (like plant-based and “flexitarian” diets), the cost of living crisis and the ongoing impact of Covid-19 were cited as reasons for the move away from meat. 

*While the English language typically refers to multiple fishes as “fish,” we choose fishes to emphasize their individuality

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The post The Most ‘Vegan-Obsessed’ Cities In The UK Unveiled appeared first on Plant Based News.

Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit known for its buttery taste and crumbly texture. It’s typically made from three core ingredients: flour, sugar, and butter. Shortbread is commonly eaten over the holiday season in the UK. 

Lazy Day Foods’ vegan shortbread is said to have a similar “creamy” taste to the original. Each gold tin comes with two 125g packs of shortbread. It’s available to buy at Morrisons stores for £5.50. 

This shortbread tin is one of many vegan festive products being sold in the UK this year. Mainstream supermarkets are selling everything from entire meat-free turkeys to dairy-free brandy cream, and it’s never been easier to enjoy a plant-based holiday season. 

The rise of dairy-free eating

A few years ago, it would have been highly unusual for a supermarket to be selling a vegan take on a traditional biscuit tin. The release comes amid skyrocketing demand for animal-free food products. 

Veganism is rising in popularity around the country, and there is growing awareness of the significant environmental and ethical costs of dairy. 

The dairy industry is responsible for around 3.4 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also resource intensive, using vast amounts of land and fresh water. 

In the UK, there are around 1.85 million so-called “dairy cows” at any one time. They have to give birth in order to produce milk, and farmers will artificially inseminate them around once a year to make that happen. After she gives birth, the cow will only have a matter of hours with her baby before they’re taken away – all so humans can take the milk intended for them. 

Biscuits go cruelty-free

While many traditional UK biscuits still contain dairy, a number are already accidentally vegan. These include McVitie’s Digestives, many brands of bourbons, Rich Tea, Hobnobs, and Ginger Nuts. 

For Plant Based News’ complete guide to vegan biscuits, click here. 

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• Greggs Unveils Vegan Christmas Menu For 2023

The post You Can Now Buy A Vegan Shortbread Tin – Just In Time For Christmas appeared first on Plant Based News.

A performance of Mother Goose at Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham featured a song that contained the lyrics: “G in vegan stands for gassy, while the A stands for either anemic or annoying.” 

Pantomimes are a type of musical comedy show that are traditionally performed in theaters across the UK at Christmas time. They are generally understood to be family shows, meaning the audience would have been full of children. One girl watching the show, who was vegan, later stated that her classmates had sung “the vegan panto song” to her at school. 

According to Gloucestershire Live, her father said that she asked him: “Why did the actors think it’s okay to be horrible to kids like me, who just want to be kind to animals and not eat them?”

Her father added that the humor was “cheap,” and went on to say: “I must admit, it did seem quite unnecessary to have a whole song at the end of the panto dedicated to spiteful jibes towards vegans – as entertaining as it was for a certain section of the audience.”

The pantomime removes the song

Following complaints, the pantomime removed the song. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Our pantomime Mother Goose, is a live production, which is constantly being refined and improved. The creative team behind this year’s production continuously evaluates all aspects of the performance in order to create the best, most entertaining experience for the audience possible.”

They added that pantomime is a “uniquely collaborative art form” where audience is “very much a part of the show.” They went on to say that they “respect” audience views and comments. 

Plant Based News has contacted the theater for further comment.

Harmful stereotypes

While vegans are used to having jokes directed at them, some have argued that such a song – particularly in an audience of children – reinforces harmful and inaccurate stereotypes directed towards vegans.

“Words matter, and song lyrics that lazily perpetuate tired, untrue stereotypes of vegans need an overhaul – oh, yes, they do!,” PETA’s Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen told Plant Based News (PBN).

Issy Acosta, campaigner at animal advocacy organization Viva!, agrees. “When it comes to pantomimes, there is always a delicate balance between humour and insult – and this performance of Mother Goose is no different,” she told PBN. “The trope of the annoying, anaemic and gassy vegan is an outdated insult and one that ignores the reasons why more and more people are switching to plant-based each year.”

Anemia is a condition where the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to body tissue. It can be caused by a number of things, but iron deficiency is perhaps the most well-known of these. Vegans and vegetarians are often believed to suffer from it due to the false belief that iron can only be derived from animal sources. In fact, iron is found in plant foods including beans, lentils, tofu, fortified cereals, and many others. While some meat-free eaters may suffer from iron deficiency due to lack of planning, plenty of meat-eaters do as well.

In the UK, around 1.2 billion land animals are slaughtered for meat each year. Most of these are raised in factory farms, and investigation after investigation proves that farmed animals suffer brutal lives and painful deaths. The vast majority of children – and adults – have no idea what happens to animals in our food system.

“Instead of creating a factually incorrect song attacking vegans, perhaps the producers would like some accurate lyrics,” Acosta said. “Instead of a Gassy G, how about G for Generosity, and the Anaemic and Annoying A, let’s replace that with A for Animal freedom.”

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• ‘This House Would Go Vegan’: Joey Carbstrong And Vegan Team Win Oxford University Debate
• ‘Why We Turned Down Netflix’: ‘Christspiracy’ Directors Reveal Truth About Explosive New Documentary

The post Pantomime Removes Song That Calls Vegans ‘Anemic’ And ‘Annoying’ After Complaints appeared first on Plant Based News.

In a letter sent to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), signatories called on the government to increase enclosure sizes for snakes. Currently, snakes are the only animal in the country who are not legally required to stretch while kept captive. This goes against a huge body of scientific evidence that these conditions significantly impact their physical and psychological well-being.

Edie Bowles from law firm Advocates for Animals wrote the letter, which was sent on behalf of PETA, Born Free, Animal Protection Agency, Freedom for Animals, and World Animal Protection.

“Failing to provide a snake with an enclosure that provides them the ability to fully stretch in all dimensions could constitute a breach under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,” Bowles tells Plant Based News (PBN). “Defra appears to be increasingly blatant in its preference to favour the pet industry and disregards any scientific evidence that counters those interests.”

But how has this been allowed to happen? And Why isn’t Defra doing anything about it? Here’s everything you need to know about the situation facing snakes in England, the government’s apparent disregard for science, and the reasons why snakes should never be kept as “pets”.

‘Pet’ snakes in the England

There are around 400,000 snakes being kept as “pets” in the UK. Many of these snakes are kept in glass enclosures that don’t allow them to fully stretch their bodies. Experts have long argued that snakes need to stretch out just as much as any other animal, and that their conditions have a significant impact on their welfare. Currently, Defra guidelines state that cages two thirds of the length of their body is an adequate length for the case. 

Dr Clifford Warwick, a consultant biologist and medical scientist, is one of the scientific advisors who has told Defra that snakes must be able to stretch. He has written 100 scientific books and articles on snakes.

“There is very little scientific evidence that dogs need to be able to stretch, because it’s obvious,” he tells PBN. “The same for cats, the same for birds. It’s implicit, and it’s common sense, and it’s right. With snakes we have a whole raft of papers, dozens, for peer reviewed scientific reports published in high quality journals that shows snakes must be able to stretch.”

According to Dr Warwick, snakes in these conditions are susceptible to conditions like muscle cramping, arthritis, digestive disorders, and psychological stress. Research has found that around 22 physical, and 20 psychological, conditions are caused by the cages. 

“No other species, no other animals, have that much scientific evidence that they need to stretch,” says Dr Warwick. “And Defra has not only ignored that for five years, but it has left in place the provision that causes all that harm.”

Defra ignores advice

According to Dr Warwick, Defra had initially planned to make it a requirement that snakes must be able to stretch. After a letter from the pet industry, however, the department is said to have changed its guidelines. 

Following pressure from PETA, Defra subsequently commissioned a review of its guidance. Dr Warwick was one of the scientists who took part in the consultation. The pet industry was also allowed in. Despite the pet industry’s presence, the findings of the report concluded that snakes must be able to stretch. Defra has yet to act on the report findings, however, and has been accused of ignoring scientific advice and acting in favor of the pet industry. 

“Defra increasingly appears to demonstrate a preference for evidence provided by the pet industry, while overlooking or dismissing evidence from independent bodies that counter industry interests,” the letter from Advocates for Animals states. 

PBN contacted Defra for comment. A spokesperson said: “We are carefully considering the recommendations in the Animal Welfare Committee’s Opinion paper on the housing of snakes.

“The wide diversity of snakes in the pet trade is associated with a range of natural behaviours and therefore welfare requirements. This creates a complex picture when defining snake selling requirements. We are considering our next steps.”

What impact would increasing space have?

While England has not updated its guidance, neighboring Wales does permit snakes to be able to stretch their bodies. According to Dr Warwick, this hasn’t had a huge impact on the pet trade. 

“The Welsh government has stated that compliance has been good, pet shops have actually accepted this. Larger tanks, and smaller animals to go in them. Not a problem,” he says. “There have been few complaints, and a lot of the bigger producers of snakes do actually use conditions that would comply with this.”

Should snakes be kept as ‘pets’ at all?

While it’s undeniable that an increase in enclosure size is essential to improve their wellbeing in the short term, this does not mean that “pet” snakes would have anything remotely resembling high welfare in larger cages. Dr Warwick, alongside many other experts and animal groups, does not believe that snakes should be kept as companion animals at all. 

“They’re simply not adapted to captivity,” he says. “They are wild animals and they have wild animal needs. They’re incarcerated. They’re prisoners. They’re in many cases taken straight from the wild and then thrust through the horrendous system that is the pet trade.”

PETA, which is calling for the government to increase cage size, does not see this proposed legislation as an end goal. In the long-term, the organization wants to see an end to wild animals kept as pets. 

“In even the best cases – in which people have some understanding of these animals and their needs – a domestic environment can never meet their most basic needs or provide any semblance of a real or pleasant life,” Elisa Allen, vice president of programmes, tells PBN.  ”A ban that prevents people from keeping wild animals in a domestic environment, where they don’t belong or thrive, is long overdue. In the meantime, the least we can do for snakes is make their miserable lives in captivity slightly less so by ensuring, at a minimum, they can stretch to their full body length in a sufficiently large enclosure.”  

As well as the huge impact being kept in their permanent enclosures has on snakes, they are also subjected to brutal conditions prior to being sold. Many are kept in small tupperware-style boxes while being transported to the pet shop, and they can also be kept in a box at the back of the shop for up to three months after arriving. “No animals should be in substandard conditions for more than 24 hours, that I think is a long time, but done in the spirit of trying to be as pragmatic as possible,” says Warwick.

‘Escape artists’

In the summer of 2023, it was reported that snakes across the country had been escaping their enclosures during the hot weather. At the time, the RSPCA issued a warning that the heat was making them eager to ​​“escape a lot more”.

Like they do with most animals, humans have shown time and time again that they appear to underestimate snakes’ sentience and abilities. Snakes want to escape because of the huge psychological and physical impact their cages have on them, and they are successful because they’re intelligent.

“Snakes are famous escapologists, they have many ways of getting out,” says Warwick. “It’s not just a case of pushing on a lid until it opens, they will actually try and work it out… They want out of that entire life. They want to get back to the life that they should be living.”

If you want to join the campaign urging the government to increase the cage size for “pet” snakes in England, find out how to send Defra a message here. 

More like this:

• UK Issues ‘Snake Warning’ – Here’s Why They Should Never Be ‘Pets’
• ‘A Historic Move’: Moulin Rouge Ends Live Animal Performances After 134 Years
• ‘I’ve Tried To Be Polite’: Chris Packham Slams Ant And Dec Over ‘I’m A Celeb’ Animal Use

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