Read more: Supermarket Chain REWE ‘To Open All-Vegan Store’

Lidl made the announcement at a protein transition event it hosted in Berlin last week, reports Vegconomist. It said that sales had risen since it created price parity between meat and plant-based alternatives in October 2023. As part of its effort to encourage customers to choose plant-based, it also began placing vegan products next to animal-based versions in stores.

Lidl has been at the forefront of the transition to plant-based protein among major food retailers. In February 2023 it announced it would reduce the amount of animal products it sells while expanding its vegan range. Lidl’s chief buyer Christoph Graf said at the time that there is “no alternative” if we going to “feed ourselves within planetary limits.”

Healthier and more sustainable

Lidl launched its own-brand plant-based range Vemondo across Europe in 2021. It includes around 50 products such as oat milk, pizza, cheese, tofu, and mince. Lidl says the products are carbon neutral. In 2022, Vemondo won PETA’s Vegan Food Award for Best Vegan Private Label.

Read more: Lidl Named Cheapest UK Supermarket To Buy Vegan Christmas Food

As well as lowering prices for plant-based alternatives, Lidl maintains low prices for fruits and vegetables as part of its Healthy Eating Pledge. It aims to increase sales of fresh fruit and veg by 35 percent by 2026.

Change in Germany

Germany is a fitting location for an event – which included politicians, businesspeople, and scientists – focused on transitioning to sustainable sources of protein. The country’s newly published dietary guidelines recommend that people eat at least 75 percent plant-based. The German government also recently committed millions of euros to help boost development of plant-based proteins.

Read more: Tesco Says It’s In Its ‘Second Phase’ Of Plant-Based Growth

Meat eating has hit a record low in Germany, with around 10 percent of people living there now thought to follow a vegetarian diet. In addition, around 55 percent of the population identify as “flexitarian,” meaning they already mostly eat plant-based foods.

The post Lidl Announces Huge Increase In Plant-Based Food Sales appeared first on Plant Based News.

Read more: The Best Totally Vegan Fast Food Restaurants In The UK And USA

Bowditch, a regular cast member of Made in Chelsea, co-founded the London restaurant in 2020 with YouTuber Mikey Pearce. Serving healthier fast food items such as burger and nuggets, Clean Kitchen was entirely plant-based until this week.

In an Instagram post, Pearce and Bowditch explained that the restaurant would be adding animal products to its menu following a “tough, tough year.” The restaurant would shift from a “100 percent plant-based menu to a much more wholefood approach, catering for everyone” said Pearce.

“I’m so passionate about animal welfare, I can’t physically be part of something that isn’t fully plant-based,” said Bowditch, referring to her decision to step down from her role. “I have to stand true to my values.”

Business decision

Pearce said that the decision was to protect jobs and protect the business. The restaurant was initially very successful, making £725,000 in revenue in its first year. It also quickly expanded into catering for brands such as Under Armour. But, according to the Instagram post, the restaurant has struggled over the last year.

Read more: Welsh Pub Named Best Vegan Restaurant In Europe

“Clean is now opening up our menu to be focused on becoming healthier, fresher and better for you,” said the accompanying caption. “We will of course still be championing our plant-based classics on our menu.”

It is not the first restaurant to put animal products on the menu after first being fully plant-based. Nomas Gastrobar in Macclesfield, Cheshire, added meat and dairy to its menu in January after being fully vegan since its opening in 2021.

Praise for Bowditch

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A post shared by Verity Scarlett (@veritybowditch)

Many commenters on Clean Kitchen’s and Bowditch’s Instagram posts praised her decision to step down. People expressed admiration that she was “sticking to” her “principles” and said they had “huge respect” for her.

Bowditch was raised vegetarian and grew up surrounded by rescue animals. She transitioned to veganism in adulthood.

Many have expressed disappointment with Clean Kitchen’s menu changes. Some said they had invested in the business when it was crowdfunding and questioned if they could get their money back now that the restaurant no longer aligned with their values.

The post Verity Bowditch Steps Down From Clean Kitchen After It Adds Animal Products To Menu appeared first on Plant Based News.

Read more: It Wasn’t The Biggest Year For Plant-Based Meat – But Vegan Milk Is Killing It

Eric Mirbach, a content and brand specialist, wrote on LinkedIn that we must take “emotional stakes” into account “if we want lasting, sustainable change.”

At the start of the post, he stated that many people in the south of the USA drink Coca Cola for breakfast. “It’s traditional, and therefore a part of consumer’s identities,” he explained. “Mothers served their kids coke in the morning — and now these kids have become adults and do it with their kids.”

Read more: Spread Brand Flora Says Dairy Is ‘A Bit Weird’ In New Ad

The post then goes on to explain that there was huge resistance in these states when a new version of Coke was brought out. This, Mirbach says, was because people had an emotional attachment to the original drink that they knew and loved.

“People don’t like change to begin with, but what Coke had done by introducing an improved recipe was challenging some very deeply held feelings: safety, nostalgia, and motherly love.”

He then said that it was the marketing equivalent of “telling people their mother did it wrong.”

Parallels with plant-based food

Mirbach compared this attitude to the attitude towards alternative dairy and protein. Many people have an emotional attachment to animal products, meaning companies should take this account when trying to tempt consumers away from them.

“All founders, marketeers and creatives in this space have to find a way to champion change and make it attractive,” he wrote. “And we have to do it while identifying and respecting the consumer’s deeply held beliefs and feelings.”

Read more: Is Whole Milk Having A Comeback? Nutritionist Warns Against Its ‘Health Benefits’

The post then goes on to state that serving someone a vegan meal could be interpreted as telling them they weren’t raised right, while bringing home a vegan option for Christmas may “tell your mom she didn’t raise you right.”

“The emotional stakes are very high,” he wrote. “If we want lasting, sustainable change, we have to take them into account. Actually, they should be front and center. Because stats won’t do it. Honest, good, human, and relatable communication will.”

Eric Mirbach is the cofounder and managing director of branding, content & venture studio Very Good Looking.

The post ‘Why People Have Coca Cola For Breakfast, And What Alt Dairy Can Learn’ appeared first on Plant Based News.

Read more: Pro-Meat Ads In UK Supermarkets Prompt ASA Complaints

The supermarket chain plans to make half of the protein on its shelves plant-based by 2025, increasing to 60 percent by 2030. In aid of this goal, which is in line with Dutch Health Council dietary guidance, it has a campaign to promote plant-based recipes to customers.

The move to end fresh meat promotions is a first among Dutch supermarkets. Animal rights group Wakker Dier has praised Jumbo for its “ambition.”

More plants

Wakker Dier has been campaigning for supermarkets to embrace “more plants” in their products since 2010. Meat promotions in particular have stood in the way of this goal, according to Wakker Dier. Such promotions keep prices for meat low, forcing farmers to produce meat as cheaply as possible. 

Read more: Supermarket Chain REWE ‘To Open All-Vegan Store’

These promotions “are driving up meat sales enormously,” said Collin Molenaar, campaigner at Wakker Dier in a statement. “And the animals pay the price for this with poor living conditions.”

Campaigning by Wakker Dier led recently to Jumbo and six other brands in the Netherlands, including Knorr and Koh Thai, to commit to make 50 percent of the suggested recipes on their product packaging meat-free. Leading Dutch supermarket Albert Heijn said it would add plant-based ideas to its packaging, but would not commit to removing meat from half the recipes.

However, in 2022 Albert Heijn pledged to make more than half its range of proteins plant-based by 2030. It said it would make these options equal to or cheaper than the animal-based equivalents.

Should the UK follow suit?

Matthew Glover, founder of Veganuary, praised Jumbo and told Food Manufacture that UK supermarkets should think about following its lead. They should leverage “their influence to promote healthier, plant-based alternatives and contribute significantly to the global effort against climate change and animal mistreatment,” he said.

Read more: EU Making Animal Diets ‘Artificially Cheap’ With Subsidies, Report Finds

Research by UK food waste organization Feedback revealed that British supermarkets are fuelling demand for meat with promotional offers. Another study in 2022 found that four major UK supermarkets use multi-buys and reduced prices to to sell more meat. This was in spite or their pledges to promote sustainable eating to improve diets and tackle climate change.

The post Dutch Supermarket Jumbo To Ditch Meat Promotions appeared first on Plant Based News.

New Zealand (Aotearoa) startup ANDFOODS is one of several companies developing legume-based dairy alternatives. And it has just raised NZD $2.7 million in seed funding for to make milk, milk powder, and cream using its novel fermentation technology.

A functional alternative

ANDFOODS uses pulses, the edible seeds of legumes. It splits them into liquid and solid, using the liquid as the base for its powders, milks, and creams. Its novel fermentation process gets rid of the “plant taste” and creates products that ANDFOODS says are “nutritionally and functionally superior.”

Alex Devereaux, CEO of ANDFOODS, says that the pulses the company make a “perfect” alternative to dairy. “Though many dairy alternatives reasonably capture the taste and texture of dairy milk, few to date have come close to emulating the measurable quality of high-grade cow-based creams or milk powders,” he told Food Ingredients First. “As a result, many extra ingredients are needed throughout the manufacturing process. Our chosen legume has properties that reduce the need for a long list of additives to make it functional.”

ANDFOODS’ products “blend effortlessly into recipes,” according to the company website. They can be used in baked goods, creamy foods, and frozen desserts. They would make “a standout choice” for food manufacturers that want to use more plant-based ingredients in their products without worrying about altering the taste and texture.

Versatile legumes

In 2023, UK-based The Good Pulse Company received £300,000 in public funding to develop cheese made from yellow split peas. The company says its use of the whole peas means the cheese retains the peas’ high protein and nutrient content.

Chickpea protein company Innovopro has been developing chickpea-based emulsifiers and egg replacers for use in plant-based milks, cheese, and desserts. It has partnered with plant-based milk brand Milkadamia to make ice-cream from chickpeas and macadamia nuts.

More like this:

• Veg Capital Invests Millions In SHICKEN
• Supermarket Chain REWE ‘To Open All-Vegan Store’
• Company Unveils ‘Revolutionary’ Machine That Makes Vegan Egg Yolks

The post Legume-Based Dairy Could Be The Next Plant-Based Innovation appeared first on Plant Based News.

SHICKEN, which makes vegan curries and kebabs with plant-based chicken, will use the money to upgrade its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kent. This will turn it into one of only a small number of fully plant-based and nut-free facilities in the UK. 

“The SHICKEN range is simply delicious, and their curries and kebabs are flying off the shelves – it was a no-brainer for Veg Capital to reinvest,” Matthew Glover, Veg Capital Director, said in a statement. “We’re excited to play our part in helping this family business go global over the coming years.”

Exponential growth

SHICKEN launched in late 2020 with a range of vegan Asian ready meals such as Plant-Based Tikka Masala. The company uses a unique technology to create realistic chargrilled “chicken” from soy, wheat, and pea proteins. 

SHICKEN ready meals first appeared in Costco before rolling out in UK supermarket chain Tesco. The curries and kebabs have since landed in Sprouts Farmers Market stores across the US. They have also appeared in supermarkets in Iceland, Sweden, and France. 

The company is family-run, co-founded by husband and wife duo Parm and Satvinder Bains. Veg Capital already invested £2 million in the company in 2022. The SHICKEN manufacturing facility recently gained BRC accreditation, a global food standards certification.

“It has been a phenomenal journey for SHICKEN so far and we’re incredibly excited to see business scale on an international level, both as a brand and as one of the UK’s few dedicated BRC accredited specialist primary plant-based manufacturers,” said Parm Bains in a statement.

More like this:

• Tesco Says It’s In Its ‘Second Phase’ Of Plant-Based Growth
• ‘World First’ Cat Food Made With Cultivated Chicken Is Here
• Supermarket Chain REWE ‘To Open All-Vegan Store’

The post Veg Capital Invests Millions In SHICKEN appeared first on Plant Based News.

Named REWE Voll Pflanzlich, which loosely translates to “REWE completely plant-based,” the new store will be the first of its kind from the brand. REWE is the second-largest food retailer in the country with approximately 3,300 locations nationwide.

The shop front of the new store – located on Warschauer Straße, in the east Berlin district of popular tourist destination Friedrichshain – was previously home to the trailblazing plant-based supermarket Veganz, which closed in 2023 so the company could focus on product manufacturing.

The news of REWE’s new store was first shared on Supermarketblog, which noted that while a trademark registration for the name REWE Voll Pflanzlich has not yet taken place, the new shop front was temporarily visible to passersby during renovation work.

Germany embraces plant-based foods

REWE reportedly declined to comment on the news, but the brand has increasingly catered to customers shopping for plant-based items over the last few years. REWE has even introduced a dedicated vegan meat counter and stocked service counters with plant-based options.

Germany currently has the highest rate of vegetarianism in Europe and over 1.5 million vegans, in addition to half the population – over 40 million people – who describe themselves as flexitarian or are otherwise cutting back on animal products. In fact, just 20 percent of Germans still consume meat daily, a record-breaking change in dietary habits.

The German government itself has even promised an investment of USD $41 million (€38 million) for the promotion of vegan foods and alternative proteins such as precision fermented, cell-cultivated, and plant-based meats, in order to protect the environment.

Science definitively backs a reduction in meat and dairy planetary and personal health as well as a more sustainable – and equitable – food system. The animal agriculture industry is responsible for at least 16.5 percent of GHG emissions, along with extensive deforestation, biodiversity loss, water use, and pollution.

ProVeg, a food advocacy NGO, previously described the German government’s promise as “groundbreaking.” ProVeg International’s Strategic Director Jens Tuider commented that the German government is “setting the stage for a transformative shift in protein consumption.”

‘We want to make affordable, plant-based enjoyment possible’

While an all-vegan supermarket is a first for REWE under its own name, subsidiary brand BILLA has already opened two such stores in Vienna and Graz, Austria, and has extensive plant-based sections in at least 21 additional locations.

“We want to make affordable, plant-based enjoyment possible for all customers. Especially flexitarians, who are always integrating plant-based options into their diet,” said BILLA’s Head of Plant-Based Business Development Verena Wiederkehr in a release at the time.

Supermarkets are at the forefront when it comes to making plant-based foods more accessible, and there are an increasing number of private-label options to choose from.

According to V-Label, the world’s leading vegan and vegetarian trademark, it now certifies products for many major European retailers, including REWA and BILLA as well as Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, and SPAR, all of which have introduced or expanded their own plant-based ranges.

More like this:

• Aldi Introduces Major New Vegan Brand ‘MyVay’ In Germany
• Lidl Makes Vegan Food The Same Price As Meat Equivalents In Germany 
• Tesco Says It’s In Its ‘Second Phase’ Of Plant-Based Growth

The post Supermarket Chain REWE ‘To Open All-Vegan Store’ appeared first on Plant Based News.

Sales dropped significantly during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic alongside decreased socializing and increased mask-wearing. They still haven’t recovered.

AP News recently reported that while chewing gum sales have begun to bounce back a little, growth remains very slow, with an increase of just one percent in the US last year (For context, gross US gum sales from 2023 were 32 percent fewer than 2018).

Globally, the story is much the same. Worldwide sales went up by five percent in 2023 to more than USD $16 billion, but that total is still 10 percent lower than it was back in 2018. 

While the pandemic is irrefutably still affecting many people, the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the “global emergency” it caused has at least paused, and socializing, commuting, and working – while irrevocably changed – are happening once again.

But people have still not returned to buying chewing gum as they once did, and the reasons are not quite as simple as economic post-pandemic malaise.

When was chewing gum invented?

Chewing gum sales might be falling right now, but our shared history with the chewy food goes back a long way. Chewing gum is thought to have evolved simultaneously and independently across different early civilizations during the Neolithic period.

A chewing gum-like substance called mastiche – derived from the bark of the mastic tree – was enjoyed by the Ancient Greeks, while actual physical evidence of chewed birch bark tar from around 5,000 years ago was found in western Finland, complete with tooth prints. 

Archaeologist Jennifer P. Mathews told Smithsonian Magazine that chewing gum has been present on the American continent for hundreds of years as chicle – the resin of the evergreen sapodilla tree, found in southern Mexico and Central America.

The Mayans and the Aztecs collected this resin to make a chewable substance, which they recognized freshened breath, quenched thirst, and temporarily satiated hunger, three of the main marketing points of modern gum. Interestingly, the Aztecs also viewed the public chewing of gum as socially unacceptable, a cultural attitude echoed in the modern world.

More recently, Northern Native American cultures chewed spruce tree resin, something that European colonizers were quick to take up, appropriate, and capitalize on in the early 19th century, resulting in the first-ever commercial gum: The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum.

Modern chewing gum gained global popularity when it was supplied to American GIs during World War II and after they traded with locals when stationed overseas. It enjoyed popularity as a symbol of rebellion from the late 1950s, which arguably continued until sales first began to decline in the early 2000s.

Why are people buying less chewing gum now?

As noted above, gum was decreasing in popularity long before 2020. Between 2010 and 2014, US-based gum sales fell 11 percent amid changing cultural attitudes and increased competition. However, the pandemic undoubtedly fast-tracked its plummeting sales.

The decisive popping of chewing gum’s bubble over the last few years is likely due to a combination of intersecting factors, undoubtedly including the impact of the pandemic on socializing, but also extending to people’s now-altered spending habits in the “new normal.”

For example, COVID-19 accelerated a global shift towards online shopping. Simultaneously, around 38 percent of Americans have decreased the amount they spent on impulse purchases. Though impulse buys are commonplace online, too, supermarket layouts encourage last-minute purchases by the checkouts, which digital consumers are bypassing.

Chewing gum is notably one of the most common impulse buys. In fact, around 65 percent of all gum sales are reported as impulse buys by industry leader Mars Wrigley. (If you think of your local grocery store, you can likely picture the shelves of gum by the cashier.)

Other factors in diminished gum sales include growing numbers of people more closely observing their consumption of refined sugar, and a simultaneously increasing wariness of the artificial sweeteners which so frequently replace it in gum and other confectionery.

Another health concern is plastic, which consumers are also increasingly conscious of. Many varieties of chewing gum are still made using polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or polyethylene (PE), which can be found in glue, tape, plastic bags, and bottles as well as gum.

How chewing gum affects health and the environment

Both PVA and PE can take hundreds of years to decompose and are considered harmful to the environment. It has been estimated that the average person ingests around one credit card’s worth of plastic per week, or 50 carrier bags’ worth in a year.

Many people are also concerned about the environmental – and aesthetic – impact of gum as litter, and the charity Keep Britain Tidy estimates that 87 percent of UK streets are stained with discarded pieces. It costs approximately GBP £7 million (over $8.8 million) per year to clean up. A single piece costs just three pence to produce but 10 pence to remove.

All sales, importation, and distribution of gum have been banned in Singapore for over 30 years now for this very reason, and some argue that the same restrictions should be introduced elsewhere. In 2021, the UK government announced a litter-picking scheme led by Keep Britain Tidy and funded by gum manufacturers to try and tackle the issue.

“The stains of discarded chewing gum are a blight on our communities, spoiling our streets and wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money,” noted former Environment Minister Rebecca Plow in a government statement about the scheme.

What are the benefits of chewing gum?

Many major manufacturers are abandoning the chewing gum market altogether in response to ailing sales. In 2022, Mondelez International sold its US, Canadian, and European brands, while Mondelez has said that it will likely shift resources towards more profitable sectors.

The Ferrara Candy Co, which has been producing the previously ubiquitous Super Bubble and Fruit Stripe gums for over 50 years, recently announced that it had quietly ceased production of those brands in 2022. Spokesperson Brian Camen told Food Dive that the decision was made after considering consumer preferences, patterns, and brand trends.

The remaining major brands are searching for a fresh way to reach new consumers, and Mars Inc. – owners of the now 133-year-old Wrigley company – is now promoting its top sellers as tools for mental well-being, relieving stress, and aiding concentration.

Interestingly, this is something that many people already use gum for, including autistic folks who use the repetition of chewing as a form of stimming, and some with ADHD who chew gum to aid concentration. More broadly, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests gum can reduce anxiety and stress while aiding attentiveness.

From a marketing angle, promoting gum as a wellness tool is also nothing new. In fact, Wrigley’s used a similar tactic in 1916, encouraging consumers to chew gum to “steady your stomach and nerves,” or when work begins to “drag.”

Is there healthy and sustainable gum?

The global health and wellness industry itself is growing rapidly as more emphasis is placed on the concept of lifestyle as preventative medicine. A release by the nonprofit The Global Wellness Institute noted record profits for the sector in 2023 at $5.6 trillion, and forecast considerable growth in the form of $8.5 trillion by 2027.

Outside of the major brands such as Mars Wrigley, there are already many smaller companies producing health and environmentally conscious products free from sugar, plastic, and non-vegan ingredients. These include True Gum, Milliways, Nuud, and Chewsy.

More like this:

• Is Chewing Gum Vegan? Here’s What You Need To Know
• Study Puts Fermented Foods, Not Fire, As Pivotal Moment In Human Brain Growth
• ‘World First’ Cat Food Made With Cultivated Chicken Is Here

The post Chewing Gum Sales Are Plummeting – Here’s Why appeared first on Plant Based News.

The product is a collaboration between “pet” food specialists Omni and cultivated meat brand Meatly. This is Omni’s first venture into the cultivated space, as it previously sold purely plant-based food for cats and dogs. 

The 150g tins of cultivated chicken cat food will cost £1 each. They are not available to buy yet, and still need regulatory approval from the government before they arrive in shops. According to the brand, Pets at Home looks set to be its first stockist once approval is granted, which could be in the next three months. 

“It is incredibly exciting to see the first ever cans of cultivated pet food fly off the production line. This is a major milestone for cultivated meat globally and shows that we are ready to sell product,” said Owen Ensor, Co-founder and CEO of Meatly, in a statement. He added that “cultivated meat gives pet parents an easy choice – high quality, tasty, nutritious, and sustainable pet food.”

What is cultivated meat?

Cultivated meat, also known as cultured meat, lab-grown meat, or cell-based meat, is a form of meat produced by culturing animal cells in a controlled environment, without the need to raise and slaughter animals. It involves taking a small sample of animal cells and providing them with the necessary conditions to grow and multiply. These cells can differentiate into muscle and fat cells, mimicking the composition of traditional meat.

It’s important to note that cultivated meat is not vegan, however, as it is real animal meat that involves the use of an animal to some degree. The cells must usually be extracted from animals, meaning it still involves animal use in its production. 

According to Meatly, the cells to make the cat food were extracted from a chicken egg. The company also did not use fetal bovine serum or animal products in its production. Fetal bovine serum, which made from the blood of cow fetuses extracted from an animal during pregnancy, has traditionally been used in the cultivated meat industry to make the product grow effectively. Many companies are moving away from it, however.

Could cultivated meat end animal farming?

While vegans wouldn’t usually eat cultivated meat, it’s still widely supported by many following the lifestyle. This is because it could provide a viable way to move the world away from traditional animal agriculture, which slaughters trillions of individuals each year. Currently the cultivated meat market is in its early stages, only available at a select few places in the US and Singapore. If this new product were to gain approval, it would be the first cultivated meat product sold in Europe, and the first cultivated pet food on the market anywhere in the world.

Demand for pet food is growing, and Meatly says that 22 percent of the meat consumed in the UK is eaten by companion animals. Cultivated food could help many households reduce their contribution to the hugely unsustainable and unethical meat industry. 

There are also a wide range of plant-based pet food products already available, and studies have shown that well-planned vegan diets are both safe and healthy for cats and dogs. 

More like this:

• Cultured Meat To Be Served At US Restaurants Following Historic Sign-Off
• Cultured Meat Brand Aims To Spare 27 Million Animals After Raising Nearly $100M
• Jeff Bezos Just Pledged $60 Million To Improve Plant-Based Meats

The post ‘World First’ Cat Food Made With Cultivated Chicken Is Here appeared first on Plant Based News.

The Austrian brand, which was founded in 2020, has named the product “The Kraken.” It’s made from mycoprotein, and looks similar to meat made from octopus tentacles.

The ready-to-eat food, which can also be baked, fried, and grilled, is currently only available for a limited time. It will be sold exclusively on the Revo Foods ecommerce site, and it will also be shared with some of the company’s restaurant partners. Depending on consumer feedback, the product may be launched more permanently at a later date. 

Vegan “seafood” is one of the fastest growing plant-based markets. It saw a 326 percent growth between 2020 and 2023, and it’s been forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 28 percent, reaching USD $1.3 billion by 2031. 

The growing threat of octopus farming

Octopus meat is hugely popular in certain countries in Europe, particularly Spain, Italy, and Greece. The animal is also eaten widely in Japan, and there’s a growing market in the USA. 

Around 91 million octopuses are killed for food each year. Unlike many other marine animals, a growing number of whom are farmed, virtually all octopuses sold are caught from the ocean. Farming them has previously proved almost impossible due to their solitary nature and tendency to attack each other if kept together in tanks. Octopus farming is a growing threat, however, as a Spanish multinational company called Nueva Pescanova announced plans to build the world’s first commercial octopus farm in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in 2021. The plans are yet to materialize into anything concrete, however. 

The announcement of the farm sent shockwaves around the world, and many environmental and animal rights groups have criticized the plans. Earlier this month, Washington became the first US state to outlaw octopus farming. While no octopuses are farmed there, it introduced the law preemptively to protect future octopuses.

Demand for octopus meat is growing, and plant-based versions like Revo Foods’ could help satisfy this demand without harming animals. The octopus product is just one of a long line of innovative vegan seafood products hitting the market, including calamari, shrimp, and even a 3D printed eel.

More like this:

• Beyond Meat Announces Major Recipe Shake-Up With ‘Healthier’ Ingredients
• Could The ‘Third Wave’ Of Vegan Cheese Move Flexitarians Off Dairy?
• Aldi Launches Biggest Ever Vegan Range – Including Pain Au Chocolat

The post You Can Now Buy 3D Printed Plant-Based Octopus appeared first on Plant Based News.

On Thursday of this week, the Miami-Dade commission served eviction papers to The Dolphin Company (the park’s owner). The papers state that Miami Seaquarium must close by April 21. 

A letter sent to the company said that it had failed to “maintain animals in accordance with applicable law.” It was also accused of “violations of lessee’s contractual obligations to keep the property in a good state of repair.”

Established in 1955, Miami Seaquarium is one of the oldest marine parks in the US. It makes its money from captive animals, many of whom are forced to perform unnatural tricks for crowds of paying customers. 

Miami Seaquarium controversy

The news of closure comes after years of campaigning from animal rights groups. At least 120 whales and dolphins have died at Miami Seaquarium, and public opinion has been rapidly turning against the park in recent years. 

In November last year, a 30-year-old dolphin named Sundance died soon after a USDA inspection had noted they were suffering from “gastric stress.” Just weeks earlier, a dolphin had been found with a two inch nail in their throat. 

The death of Lolita

Miami Seaquarium’s most famous animal, an orca named Tokitae (also known as Lolita), died of a suspected renal condition in August last year. She had been captured from the ocean in 1970, and was sold to the park for $6,000. She spent 52 years in a small pool. A year before her death, she had been retired from performing, and activists had been working to secure her relocation to a sea pen. 

The park’s closure has been widely celebrated by animal groups. “The world watched as the Miami Seaquarium let the lone orca Lolita waste away and die, allowed animals to eat trash in crumbling enclosures, and ignored its attending veterinarian’s instructions until she finally resigned,” PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman told Plant Based News. “But now the world can cheer at the news that help is finally on the way for the long-suffering animals held captive there.

Reiman described the park’s closure as “long overdue,” and urged Miami-Dad County authorities to ensure that the animals are sent to “reputable facilities” to get care.

More like this:

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• Cape Town Residents Sent Home From Work Due To Smell From Live Export Ship
• Prisoners Could Be Served Deer Meat In The UK

The post Miami Seaquarium Ordered To Close After 120 Animal Deaths appeared first on Plant Based News.

The ad is part of a new campaign called “100% Plant-Based, Even If You’re Not.” It shows dairy-free cheeseburgers being cooked on a grill.

“This might just be the most controversial commercial of all time,” a voiceover says. “Because plant-based cheese companies like us aren’t supposed to show beef in ads. But at Daiya, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy plant-based cheese, even on a beef burger.” The ad finishes with the words “enough controversy, let’s eat.”

Daiya advert divides opinion

Daiya Foods was established in Vancouver, Canada, in 2008. It’s one of North America’s leading dairy-free brands, known for its coconut-oil based cheese alternatives that are hugely popular with vegans. 

Some have questioned Daiya’s decision to include real meat in its marketing when so much of its consumer base are vegan. Veganism is a movement against animal exploitation, with followers of the lifestyle abstaining from all animal products, including meat. One person said on Reddit that Daiya is “not a vegan ally,” while another compared the company to dairy-free brand Oatly (which previously sparked backlash for distancing itself from the vegan label in its messaging).

Daiya has said that it’s ad is trying to encourage more people to try dairy-free alternatives. “Our aim is not to convert, but to invite everyone to discover and enjoy the benefits of plant-based eating, showing how our products can add delicious variety to their meals, enhancing the culinary experience for all, regardless of dietary choices,” John Kelly, Daiya chief marketing officer, told Adweek.

Fans defend Daiya

Many people have taken to social media to defend Daiya’s decision to use meat. Around 11 percent of US citizens describe themselves as “flexitarians,” while 36 percent have lactose malabsorption (a reduced ability to digest lactose). Studies have shown that the vegan label puts diners off plant-based food, and some have argued that the ad could bring vegan cheese to a wider sector of the population, which could save more animals in the long run.

“If they can get meat eaters to open their mind even slightly about the viability of animal product alternatives then they have made progress,” one person wrote. “A ‘right now’ all-or-nothing approach to converting people almost always fails.”

Another added: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, or whatever the old saying is. If this is somebody’s first step into vegan alternatives, I’m all for it.”

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The post Vegan Cheese Brand Sparks Debate With Commercial Featuring Beef Burger appeared first on Plant Based News.

Tesco said that flexitarians who want “to take more control over what they eat” are driving up sales again. 

Cate May, Tesco’s plant-based food buyer, said that “Plant-based food has been the biggest culinary trend so far this century.” She added that the “initial level of interest was inevitably going to drop off slightly” after the novelty wore off. 

“But what we are seeing is phase two of that revolution,” said May. Whole cuts of plant-based meat have particularly been gaining in popularity.

Sales on the up

The plant-based meat industry took a hit in 2023, with sales falling and some companies entering administration. The higher cost of these products combined with the cost of living crisis helped drive down sales. 

But the sector has been rebounding this year. Sales of vegan fish alternatives are up by 100 percent since the start of 2024, compared to the year before, says Tesco. Plant-based steaks, and “chicken” breasts have seen a rise of 20 percent, as have the classic meat alternatives tofu and tempeh. Meat-free burgers have sold 10 percent more. 

One particularly successful product has been Juicy Marbles’ prime plant-based steak. Tesco says it sold an unprecedented 100,000 cuts in the lead up to Valentine’s Day.

“Customers are starting to understand the versatility of plant-based ingredients and whole cuts,” said May. They are “creating a wide variety of meals such as tofu stir-fries, meat-free curries using chicken alternatives or beans and pulses, and classic steak and chips using plant-based steaks.”

Less meat, more veg

A survey of 2,000 British adults commissioned by Tesco in December found other trends towards more plant-based eating. Nearly half of respondents said they are eating less meat than they were five years ago. Sixty-two percent go meat-free on two or more days a week, which Tesco says indicates that Britain “is embracing a more ‘flexitarian’ way of eating.”

Meanwhile, 60 percent of people are including more vegetables in their roast dinners, and 73 percent are eating more greens.

According to May, the latest sales figures show that flexitarians are cutting back on meat and making healthier choices “by cooking from scratch.”

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• It Wasn’t The Biggest Year For Plant-Based Meat – But Vegan Milk Is Killing It

The post Tesco Says It’s In Its ‘Second Phase’ Of Plant-Based Growth appeared first on Plant Based News.

The campaign, named Plant-Based For Everyone, will see menu items like the plant-based Whopper and vegan Long Chicken be reduced by 10 cents. Burger King has said that the move has received positive feedback from customers.

“We have been investing in meat free alternatives since the mid-1990s and have shown that fast food doesn’t always have to mean meat,” said Dr. Jörg Ehmer, CEO of Burger King Germany, as reported by Vegconomist. “As a pioneer, we offer the largest plant-based range in German system catering — and now with a price advantage. We are thus providing a strong impetus to try our plant-based options. Our aim is to offer guests a free choice — without compromising on taste.”

Burger King Germany announced a collaboration with The Vegetarian Butcher in August 2022, which saw its plant-based options more than double. The chain now offers a meat-free version of almost every item on the menu. In August last year, a company employee said that one in five Whoppers sold in Germany was plant-based.

Burger King embraces the meat-free market

While many of Burger King Germany’s menu items are plant-based, not all are suitable for vegans. Some (like the Cheesy Bacon Lover Plant-Based and the Plant-Based X-tra Long Chili Cheese) contain dairy, while others may be cooked on the same grill as meat. The Plant-Based Nuggets and the Plant-Based Long Chicken are certified as vegan.

Burger King Germany’s director of marketing Klaus Schmäing previously said that the “large group” they wanted to address was flexitarians. “But beyond that, of course, also vegetarians and vegans,” he added. 

Germany isn’t the only country where Burger King is catering to meat-free market. The chain has previously launched temporary entirely plant-based branches in countries including the UK, Portugal, Denmark, and Austria.

In the UK, Burger King plans to be 50 percent meat-free by 2030. The company has said that it made this decision in response to the country’s “growing demand for meatless alternatives and products with no animal protein.”

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The post Burger King Makes Plant-Based Food Cheaper Than Meat In Germany appeared first on Plant Based News.

The acquisition is the new group’s first major deal since pledging to become a “Vegan Unilever” last month.

By joining Meatless Farm, VFC, and Clive’s, TOFUTOWN will turn VFG into one of Europe’s largest plant-based manufacturers.

The vegan quartet now have a “clear line of sight for scaling group revenues beyond €100m,” according to the company.

TOFUTOWN adds another string to VFG’s bow

TOFUTOWN is a major supplier of natural, organic tofu, spreads, and meat alternatives in the EU.

Established over 40 years ago by Bernd Drosihn, the company supplies major retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, DM, and Edeka under the TOFUTOWN brand.

TOFUTOWN is headquartered in Wiesbaum (North Rhine-Westphalia) and has 55,000 sqm manufacturing space across two sites.

Acquisition “just the start” for VFG

With the new acquisition, profitability is “on the cards” for VFG in 2024, the company has said.

Adam Lyons and Matthew Glover founded VFC as a fried chicken brand in 2020. Last year, the company bought Meatless Farm and Clive’s Purely Plants. Glover previously told Plant Based News (PBN) that VFG’s goal is “removing animals from the food chain.”

The latest takeover is “just the start of VFG’s acquisition strategy,” according to the company.

More like this:

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• Vegan Meat Brand Heura Raises €40 Million In Funding Round

The post Vegan Food Group To Buy German Tofu Manufacturer appeared first on Plant Based News.

Float Foods is maker of the popular OnlyEg range, which includes Eg Yolk and OnlyEg Patties.

Based in Singapore, the company has a facility capable of manufacturing the vegan eggs at commercial scale.

Vinita Choolani, Founder and CEO of Float Foods Pte Ltd, told Plant Based News: “The FSSC 22000 certification is not just a commitment to food safety; it is a testament to our company’s dedication to transforming the alternative egg production process. This aligns with our vision for a sustainable, scalable, ethical food system.”

Vegan egg yolks

Float Foods has developed vegan egg yolks that mimic the taste and texture of the real thing but without inflicting a lifetime of suffering on billions of birds.

The company’s vegan eggs have yolks that ooze and whites with a bouncy and elastic texture.

These vegan-friendly egg alternatives can be eaten “raw.” They can also be used for a wide variety of culinary creations from noodles and pastries to mayonnaise and baked goods.

Is egg production cruel?

Vegans don’t eat eggs because of the cruelty that the industry causes hens.

In the US, and elsewhere, most hens raised for eggs live in battery cages, with each bird limited to a space no larger than an A4 sheet of paper. Earlier this month, a fire at an “egg-laying” hen barn killed several thousand birds.

In the wild, hens would typically lay one egg a month. Commercial hens have been bred to lay as many as 300 in a single year. This puts a massive strain on the birds’ bodies, resulting in immense suffering and early death.

The widespread uptake of vegan eggs could put an end to such cruelty.

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• This Eggs Benedict Casserole Is Completely Vegan
• Could The ‘Third Wave’ Of Vegan Cheese Move Flexitarians Off Dairy?

The post Company Unveils ‘Revolutionary’ Machine That Makes Vegan Egg Yolks appeared first on Plant Based News.