Here’s what’s been happening for the vegan and plant-based advocacies around the world last August. All features have been sourced from vegnews.com, plantbasednews.org, totallyveganbuzz.com, and vegansociety.com. Visit their sites for the full stories, and to be updated on more news that’ll help bring us to an even better world.
1) New study finds plant-based meat healthier, more sustainable than animal meat
On August 1, vegnews.com reported that a new study published in the scientific journal Future Foods concluded that plant-based meat is healthier and more sustainable than animal meat, and, importantly, provides an easy way for consumers to reduce animal product consumption.
Excerpts from the story:
“The review involved examining 43 studies related to the healthiness and environmental impacts of plant-based foods as well as literature on consumer attitudes. It concluded that plant-based meat and dairy, although sometimes incorrectly considered ‘unnatural’ or ‘over-processed’ by consumers, offer a healthier and environmentally sustainable solution to animal meat that also takes into account consumers’ eating preferences. Because plant-based meat and other foods are specifically formulated to replicate the taste, texture, and overall eating experience of animal products, they are a much more effective way of reducing the demand for animal-based meat and dairy than simply encouraging people to cook whole plant foods at home.
‘“Although most consumers correctly view (plant-based meat) as more nutritionally sound alternatives, their perception as unnatural or overly processed can lead some to incorrectly infer that they are unhealthy and/or harmful in other ways,’ the study noted. ‘This perception may be exacerbated by interests in the conventional animal product industry who seek to cast public doubt on these competing products. Consumers and policymakers must resist the heuristic that animal meat is natural and therefore better, and instead listen to the science, which suggests that (plant-based meat) can be a sustainable and healthy part of our future protein landscape.”’
“One study that was part of the review suggested that almost 90% of consumers who ate plant-based meat and dairy were meat-eaters, while another study found that plant-based products with a similar taste, texture, and price to processed animal meat had the best chance of replacing meat. Ultimately, the report points out that plant-based meat is intended to displace demand for animal products, not other plant foods, and is more able to do this compared to whole plant foods alone.
“Studies focusing on the healthiness of plant-based products found they tend to have better nutritional profiles compared to animal products, with one paper finding 40% of conventional meat products were classified as ‘less healthy’ based on the United Kingdom’s Nutrient Profiling Model, compared to just 14% of plant-based alternatives. Others found plant-based meat and dairy were good for weight loss and building muscle mass, and could be used to help people with specific health conditions.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/germany-eats-less-meat/
2) French ban on ‘meaty’ terms for plant-based products suspended by court
On August 2, totallyveganbuzz.com broke the news that France’s highest court suspended the food labelling ban on the plant-based term “meaty” after expressing serious doubt about its legality.
Excerpts from the story:
“In a recent turn of events, The French Conseil d’Etat—France’s highest court—has temporarily overturned the divisive ban on ‘meaty’ names for plant-based foods. The reprieve came following an appeal from plant-based and alternative protein- focused association Protéines France.
“The ban proposed by the country’s government was set to come into effect from October 2022. It was supposedly initiated to prevent ‘consumer confusion’ and implied that French producers could no longer use meat names such as ‘sausage,’ ‘steak,’ ‘bacon,’ and ‘chicken’ on their plant-based products.
“France would have been the first European Union member to impose restrictions of this kind despite being the largest producer of beef among the member states and the 7th largest in the world.
“The court expressed serious doubt about the ban’s legality and deemed it unjustified in terms of providing consumer information.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/french-ban-on-meaty-terms-plant-based-products-suspended/
3) Germany embracing plant-based meats
On August 2, plantbasednews.org featured Germany beginning to adopt plant-based alternatives.
Excerpts from the story:
“Despite climate experts recommending a mainstream shift to plant-based diets, Germany is one of the few countries, alongside Sweden, to demonstrate an actual reduction in meat consumption. (Meanwhile, other rich countries have either plateaued at a generally high level or are slowly increasing their meat consumption.)
“In 2011, the average German citizen ate 138 pounds of meat per year. But that has since dropped by 12.3%. Now, the average German eats around 121 pounds of animal protein per year.
“Back in March, research suggested that more than half (51%) of the German population had reduced their meat intake in the previous year. Plus, research from the Smart Protein Project suggested that in 2020, the sales value of plant-based food in the country increased by 97%.
“A poll conducted by Veganz revealed that between 2016 and 2020, the number of vegans doubled to 2.6 million. This represented 3.2% of the entire population, but not enough of an explanation for a drop in meat consumption. Food awareness organization ProVeg International offers an opinion, claiming that it is the flexitarian market that has reduced consumer interest in meat.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/germany-eats-less-meat/
4) Vegans who lift weights have stronger bones, new study shows
On August 5, totallyveganbuzz.com revealed findings by a research team from the Medical University of Vienna showing vegans who lift weights have stronger bones than those who don’t.
Excerpts from the story:
“The team also indicated that vegans who incorporate weight lifting into their exercise routine have bone strength similar to omnivores who do strength training. It further added that results from lifting weights were even better than cycling and swimming.
“The results of the study are published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
“The new findings follow a previous study that indicated that people on a vegan diet tend to have lower bone density and increased risk of fractures. However, this study’s results challenge the idea that an exclusively plant-based diet is not at par with an omnivore diet when it comes to health and fitness.
“Researchers compared data from 43 men and women on a plant-based diet and 45 men and women on a diet that included animal products for a minimum of five years. The team found that those vegan participants who did resistance training exercises such as machine work, free weights, or bodyweight resistance exercises at least once a week had similar bone strength to the omnivore participants.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/health/vegans-lift-weights-have-stronger-bones-study/
5) Beyonce swaps her Birkin bag with a vegan leather tote
On August 10, vegnews.com featured how one lyric from Beyonce’s “Renaissance” album drove fashionistas toward Telfar’s vegan leather tote, which replaced the star’s Birkin.
Excerpts from the story:
“It’s out with the old and in with the new in Beyoncé’s closet, or at least that is true for her Hermès Birkin bag which has been swapped with a vegan leather tote made by Black-owned brand Telfar. The music icon sent a powerful closing message on her newly released album Renaissance, ending the 16-song masterpiece with the statement: ‘This Telfar bag imported. Birkins, them sh*t’s in storage. I’m in my bag.’
“Birkin bags have been made from a variety of cruelly begotten animal skins—including ostrich, snake, and crocodile—since their release in 1984. However, the Telfar bag Beyoncé mentions is a tote bag made out of animal-free vegan leather. Based in New York City, Telfar was founded in 2005 by Telfar Clemens and has been producing the vegan leather tote bag (called ‘Shopping Bag’) since 2014.
“After its shoutout from Beyoncé, Telfar experienced a spike in interest and sales. On resale platform TheRealReal, views of the bag spiked by 85% on the day Beyoncé dropped her new album, PageSix reports. Fashionphile saw a 47% spike in searches, page views, and ‘add to cart’ actions for Telfar on its resale site, as well, Vogue Business reports.
“In addition to Beyoncé, sister Solange Knowles, model Bella Hadid, and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all been spotted with the simple and chic Telfar bag. The vegan leather bag is known affectionately as the ‘Bushwick Birkin’ because of its NYC roots and often sold-out status.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/beyonce-birkin-vegan-leather-telfar
6) New study of 57,000 food products shows plant-based meat best for the planet
On August 11, plantbasednews.org revealed findings of a new study from the University of Oxford that evaluated the environmental impact of 57,000 food products found in supermarkets across the United Kingdom and Ireland; the study suggests that veggie sausages and burgers are up to 10 times better for the planet than meat.
Excerpts from the story:
“Researchers looked at four factors: greenhouse gas emissions, water stress, land use, and eutrophication potential. (The latter refers to the over-fertilization of water and soil, which deteriorates quality.)
“Among the worst for the planet were dried beef products, like jerky and biltong. But a number of plant-based meat products, like sausages and burgers, had a fifth to less than a tenth of the environmental impact of their animal meat counterparts. Products made with fruits, sugar, flour, and vegetables (like soups, cereals, salads, etc.) also had a low impact on the environment.
“Professor Peter Scarborough, an Oxford Professor of Population Health, said the findings are ‘very exciting.’ He noted that the work could help to develop tools to assist consumers in making more sustainable shopping choices, but it could also ‘prompt retailers and food manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact of the food supply.’” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/environment/plant-based-meat-best-planet-study/
7) Studying quinoa’s role in preventing Type 2 diabetes
On August 11, vegnews.com reported the findings of a new study published in the medical journal Nutrients that suggested regular consumption of quinoa could help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Excerpts from the story:
“Regular consumption of quinoa can help prevent Type 2 diabetes—a disease that affects 450 million people worldwide and is one of the world’s leading causes of premature death. According to a new study published in medical journal Nutrients, replacing high-carbohydrate foods with quinoa can help control spikes in blood sugar.
“Quinoa, a plant-based food, is a highly nutritious pseudocereal originally from the Andes and, since its rise in popularity, is now grown in other parts of the world. Because of its nutritional properties—which include vitamins B, E, and C, and all essential amino acids—it has been hypothesized that quinoa could be good for certain cardiovascular diseases and other metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. However, there have been no scientific studies to back up these health benefit claims, until now.
“The study, led by Diana Díaz Rizzolo, a member of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and a researcher at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, aimed to determine if replacing foods that are high in carbohydrates with quinoa could have a positive effect on the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, especially in people with a high risk of developing the disease, such as older adults.
‘“We compared the blood sugar patterns and found that when the participants had eaten quinoa, their blood sugar spike was lower than with their usual diet,’ Rizzolo said. ‘This is crucial because these post-meal blood sugar spikes are a determining factor in the progression of Type 2 diabetes.”’ (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/quinoa-type-2-diabetes-study
8) Italy to ban slaughter of male chicks
On August 11, plantbasednews.org reported that the Italian government would be banning the culling of male chicks, ending the slaughter of up to 40 million young birds every year.
Excerpts from the story:
“The decision follows two years of campaigning by Animal Equality Italy. The animal rights organization works with various companies and government bodies to better protect farmed animals.
“It started a petition about chick culling in 2020, which has since garnered more than 100,000 signatures. Shortly after the petition was launched, Assoavi (the trade association of Italy’s egg producers) announced its support of in-ovo sexing technology. This allows for a chick’s sex to be identified before they hatch, ensuring that only female birds are born.
“Given that male chicks cannot lay eggs, they are widely regarded as by-products in the egg industry. (They are typically not used for meat either, since they are a different species to chickens raised for their flesh.) As such, day-old or hours-old male chicks are routinely slaughtered. Typically, by asphyxiation (using carbon dioxide), cervical dislocation (the breaking of the neck), or maceration (whereby live chicks are thrown into a high-speed grinder).
“Lawmakers in Italy first proposed the ban in December 2021. It was approved on August 3, 2022 in the Chamber of Deputies, and will come into effect in 2026.” (Jemima Webber, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/italy-bans-slaughter-male-chicks/
9) Malta bans fur farming and foie gras production
On August 12, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that Malta had become the latest country to impose a ban on fur and foie gras production.
Excerpts from the story:
“Malta’s Ministry of Agriculture issued a new legal notice, which amends the regulation on the Protection of Animals, and now prohibits the forced feeding of birds and the raising of animals for their fur with immediate effect.
“The government noted that although the Mediterranean country currently has no operating fur or foie gras farms, the ban is a precautionary step and crucial to ‘ensure the protection of these animals’.
“While the ban will prevent producers from moving their operations into Malta from other countries, it does not ban the sale of foie gras or fur locally from any unscrupulous buyer.
“Malta has now joined 14 other European Union countries, including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom in banning production of fur. Where foie gras production is concerned, it is technically illegal in the EU under Article 3 of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/malta-bans-fur-farming-and-foie-gras-production/
10) Joaquin Phoenix exposes truth about methane biogas
On August 15, vegnews.com reported that Hollywood celebrity Joaquin Phoenix and nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund had exposed methane biogas as a greenwashing tactic factory farms were using to profit from their pollution.
Excerpts from the story:
“The United States government is finally taking the climate crisis seriously by dedicating resources to slash greenhouse gas emissions. However, some activists, including Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, are raising awareness around greenwashing practices within the animal agriculture industry. One such issue is so-called “biogas”—also known as “renewable natural gas,” “biofuel,” and “biomethane”—the term factory farms use to describe the pollution (mostly highly potent methane) that it produces.
‘“The portrayal of the pollution and methane gas that emit from manure lagoons as naturally occurring and renewable are unequivocally false,’ Phoenix said in a statement. ‘There is nothing natural about artificially inseminating cows and pigs and housing thousands of animals in windowless warehouses. Incentivizing unregulated polluters to expand operations and telling the public it is an environmentally friendly policy is deplorable.’
“Phoenix—who has been vegan for decades—lent his voice to a new video produced by nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) to expose the truth behind biogas. Phoenix and ALDF created the video at a pivotal moment when US policies are finally shifting to address the climate crisis. Last year, the Biden administration released the US Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan (Merap) which moves the United States toward achieving the Global Methane Pledge, a multi-national effort to reduce methane levels by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. As part of the Merap, farmers and ranchers will be rewarded for sequestering their pollution and an Interagency Biogas Opportunities Task Force is being created to collect on-farm methane. This week, the President is also expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act, which will invest $369 billion to support the country’s goal of slashing its carbon emissions by 40% by 2030.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/joaquin-phoenix-methane-biogas-aldf
11) Vegan-sponsored Israel basketball team promotes plant-based food
On August 16, plantbasednews.org featured the Hapoel Tel Aviv Basketball Club (HTA) as it was now sponsored by the nonprofit organization Vegan Friendly.
Excerpts from the story:
“The Premier League team ended an 11-year relationship with its former sponsor The Metzer group, a specialist in infrastructure and construction. The new sponsorship deal is worth 1 million shekels (around $300,000). It has been funded by donations from Vegan Active, the activist element of Vegan Friendly.
“To celebrate the sponsor onboarding, HTA has announced that as of next season, only vegan food will be served in its VIP arena suites. This will form part of a wider joint strategy to promote plant-based living and healthy lifestyles. Both are considered solutions to the climate crisis and animal welfare concerns.
“HTA and Vegan Friendly are slated to be planning a number of events together. However, initial major changes to the team are being spearheaded by a change of uniform. Shirts will now carry the Vegan Friendly logo front and center. In addition, the team’s court and the arena will also be decked out in appropriate livery. Environmental and vegan messages will be displayed on courtside screens as well.
“Tel Aviv, Israel’s second-largest city, has been steadily increasing its prolific, and political, embrace of the vegan lifestyle. Thanks to its more than 400 meat-free restaurants, it is dubbed the ‘vegan capital of the world’. Further, Tel Aviv recently hosted what was billed as the world’s biggest vegan festival.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/sport/tel-aviv-vegan-basketball-team/
12) Is climate change bringing an end to animal agriculture?
On August 16, vegnews.com featured Salers cheese, and how, for the first time in its 2,000-year history, the cheese would not be produced in the Auvergne region of France due to drought conditions brought on by the climate crisis.
Excerpts from the story:
“Extraordinarily high summer temperatures have made green grass a scarcity in the region, making it impossible for most of the 76 farmers in the region to meet the requirements for making Salers cheese, which must contain at least 75% milk from cows who graze on local grass.
“Temperatures in France—and in many other parts of the world—are hitting record highs this year. Like the Auvergne region, the majority of the United States is currently experiencing widespread droughts, with extreme droughts across large swaths of California, Utah, Nevada, and Texas, according to US Drought Monitor.
“Rising temperatures have disrupted industrial animal agriculture in other ways. In June, by conservative estimates, 2,000 cows died in Kansas from heat exhaustion after suffering more than 100-degree temperatures. According to reports, these cow carcasses were destined to be dumped into unlined pits, posing an additional environmental hazard for nearby groundwater.
“On the other end of the spectrum, climate change-induced floods have led to deadly conditions for cows and other exploited animals around the world. In Australia, extreme conditions this spring led to an approximate loss of 10,000 cows in the New South Wales region, local broadcasting station ABC reported.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/climate-change-end-animal-agriculture
13) Rainwater anywhere now unsafe to drink
On August 17, plantbasednews.org reported that scientists at the University of Stockholm had released findings from a decade-long investigation into the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which indicated that rainwater has become unsafe for human consumption all over the world.
Excerpts from the story:
“Deemed ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS build up in human and non-human animals and the environment, contributing to a litany of serious consequences. These include an increased risk of cancer, fertility problems, and developmental issues in children. Research has also linked reduced vaccine effectiveness to PFAS exposure.
“There are thousands of PFAS in existence. All human-created, they are chemicals used in food packaging, home furnishings, electronics, cosmetics, and animal agriculture. Most people are likely to come into contact with them on a daily basis.
“In the case of animal agriculture, the contamination cycle is easy to identify. PFAS are found in biosolids, a by-product of sewage wastewater treatment. These are commonly used as free fertilizer and spread across farmland, allowing PFAS to seep into groundwater. They are also absorbed by crops and often fed back to livestock, bringing them into the food system.
“As they are produced and used, PFAS are released into the environment, either directly into the air or via waterways. From here, they dissipate throughout the atmosphere and later come back to the ground as global rainfall, thus creating a cycle of natural pollution.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/environment/rainwater-unsafe-drink-contamination/
14) Deliciously Ella founder reveals vegan diet ‘cured’ health issues
On August 18, totallyveganbuzz.com featured famous British food writer and entrepreneur Ella Mills, who said that her decision to go vegan worked wonders for her health and had given her a purpose in life.
Excerpts from the story:
“She recently celebrated a major milestone marking 10 years since she embraced a plant-based lifestyle and posted her first recipe on her Deliciously Ella blog.
“Mills was barely 21 years old when she was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome—a nervous system condition that left her housebound. In a recent Zoom call interview with The Independent, she revealed: ‘I had lots of digestive issues, I had chronic fatigue, chronic pain, I had a consistent UTI for four years. I was on antibiotics, I went into hospital for antibiotic drips, I was on steroids, I tried beta blockers…I just hit an absolute rock bottom with my physical health, but also with my mental health.’ Mills was so sick that she often could barely get out of bed.
“Growing increasingly depressed, she decided there had to be a better way. While seeking solutions she came across an online resource about the power of diet and lifestyle to heal and began exploring a plant-based diet. Mills was able to come off her medication in two years, and that set the ball rolling not only for her healing journey, but also for her becoming the mega-successful influencer behind the Deliciously Ella brand.
“Mills is now a businesswoman with seven cookbooks (including the No. 1 best-selling debut cookbook ever in the United Kingdom), an app, a restaurant and a supermarket product range in over 5,500 stores. This year, her brand is all set to enter international markets starting with Austria and Germany and the United States later. She has over 2.1 million followers on Instagram where she mainly posts recipes, besides sharing snippets of her journey.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/deliciously-ella-reveals-vegan-diet-cured-chronic-health-issues/
15) Doctor-led vegan meal program trains food preparers in US schools and hospitals
On August 18, vegnews.com featured the Universal Meals program, which aims to teach schools, hospitals, and prisons how to make vegan meals that work for everyone, including those with common allergies.
Excerpts from the story:
“This fall, vegan chef Dustin Harder—host of the vegan cooking series “The Vegan Roadie”—and nonprofit organization Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine (PCRM) are touring across the United States to promote its Universal Meals program. The new plant-based food program is designed to be free from the top 9 allergens, making it easier for everyone to eat and cook vegan.
“The program, including recipes and instruction, is being offered at no cost to any institution. A fall tour featuring dining hall pop-ups with tabling and taste testing will begin on October 4 at North Carolina State University and continue through November, visiting the University of Miami; Georgia State College and Emory University Hospital; Washington State University; and Notre Dame University.
“The program’s offerings also include tips on how to adapt an institution’s current meal offerings to align with Universal Meals guidelines, and free marketing materials to advertise Universal Meals to clients. Unique to this vegan meal program, Universal Meals recipes are free of milk, eggs, wheat, sesame, tree nuts, soy, fish, shellfish, and peanuts and do not contain animal-derived ingredients, gluten-containing grains, or alcohol. The program’s fall tour will offer tasting of recipes such as Mac and Cheese with Presto Pesto and Shiitake Bacon; Cauliflower and Chickpea Masala; Spinach and Artichoke Flatbread; and Pineapple Basil Sorbet.
“The Universal Meals program was created to meet the diverse needs of people who follow a specific diet motivated by health, the environment, animal welfare, allergies, cultural or religious traditions, and more. In addition to being adaptable for schools, prisons, and hospitals, it can also be incorporated into other high-volume businesses and institutions such as hotels, airports, long-term care facilities, restaurants, and others.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/PCRM-vegan-meal-program-schools-hospitals-prisons
16) The Vegan Society welcomes updated Scottish milk and healthy snack scheme
On August 19, vegansociety.com reported that it welcomed the updated Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme, which was recently introduced to include both plant-based and dairy milk, along with a fruit or vegetable snack.
Excerpts from the story:
“This momentous change followed several years of effective campaigning by The Vegan Society with its ‘Play Fair with Plant Milk’ campaign, set up in 2019. The move was designed to address the inequality of various health initiatives favoring animal milk while excluding plant milk or lacking alternative options. The limited choices discriminate against vegan pupils who could otherwise benefit from the vitamins and minerals in fortified plant milks.
“Following discussions between The Vegan Society and the Scottish government, and with approval from Food Standards Scotland, funding is now available for day-care providers and childminders to provide unsweetened calcium-enriched soya drinks for children over 12 months who cannot consume cow’s milk due to medical, ethical or religious reasons.
“A new inclusive leaflet provides imagery of animals to show children where dairy milk comes from, as well as an open hand filled with nuts or seeds to represent the different sources of plant milk. It also includes a drawing of a plant’s life cycle and of a human skeleton, with pictures of children at different stages of life to demonstrate growth as a result of consuming either drink.
“Meanwhile, The Department of Health and Social Care is aware of the Scottish scheme and is continuing to consider the society’s request for healthy dairy milk alternatives to be included in government-run milk schemes in England.”
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/vegan-society-welcomes-guidance-supporting-plant-based-alternatives-part-scotlands-free-milk-scheme
17) Addressing the declining bee population
On August 19, plantbasednews.org raised the alarm on the marked decline of the bee population, and how humans can help.
Excerpts from the story:
“Humans have had a relationship with bees for centuries. We need them to survive. Bees are responsible for pollinating our food supply. In fact, one in every three bites of food we take can be attributed to bees. They also offer invaluable support to ecosystems, helping plants and trees grow. In Europe, bees pollinate around 80% of wildflowers.
“But bees are in decline. And, despite how much we have always revered them, most of that is humanity’s fault. One of the biggest threats to bees is our incessant use of pesticides. Used by farmers, the blanket term ‘pesticides’ refers to chemical sprays, treatments, and pellets used for pest, weed, and fungus control. In 2012, first-of-its-kind research discovered that these chemicals were causing a serious decline of honey bees in both the United States and the United Kingdom. It’s not surprising: many of these chemicals are designed to kill insects—and, spoiler alert, bees are insects. Air pollution is another huge factor in bee decline. Bees are facing habitat loss, too. Since World War 2, the United Kingdom has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows to intensive farming and urban development.
“There are things we can all do to help our bee populations. Here are just a handful of the actions that we can take to do our part for these valuable pollinators: Create a bee-friendly garden; opt for vegan honey; keep an eye out for tired bees, help revive it with sugar water (a one-time fix for one tired bee); buy local, organic produce, and; support bee conservation efforts.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/earth-month/bee-populations-declining-help/
18) Celebrities call for ban on horse-drawn carriages
On August 22, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that a number of Hollywood A-listers—including Ricky Gervais and Kendall Jenner—backed PETA’s call for a ban on horse-drawn carriages following the collapse of yet another horse on a busy New York street.
Excerpts from the story:
“Other celebrities raising their voices on the issue include Kaley Cuoco, Joey King, Taryn Manning, Nikki Glaser, Heather Rae El Moussa and Saint Hoax. The push comes after stars were all moved by footage of a horse who collapsed in the middle of the street only to be slapped, whipped, and screamed at by the carriage driver.
“In response to the heartbreaking clip, Gervais wrote, ‘So [expletive] sad’ to PETA on Twitter. Jenner also shared the footage of the tragedy with her 255 million Instagram followers alongside the caption: ‘Stop this now.’
“According to PETA, ‘the time to ban horse-drawn carriage rides is overdue. Laws regulating the carriage trade have long failed horses, many of whom have suffered and died.’
“PETA has joined other organizations, including New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYClass) and other local advocates to urge the city to put an end to the ‘speciesist mindset’ that treats horses like machines. The charity has also launched a petition to urge New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams to lead the council to ban horse-drawn carriages without delay.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/ricky-gervais-kendall-jenner-call-for-ban-on-horse-drawn-carriages/
19) South Korea’s vegan mushroom meat Mycel was born from Hyundai Motor Co
On August 22, vegnews.com featured South Korean startup Mycel—which sprouted from Hyundai Motor Company—that’s not only making mycelium biomaterials to replace animal leather, but also aiming for the meat market with plans to launch fungi-based protein in 2023.
Excerpts from the story:
“South Korean startup Mycel is working to make fungi-based biomaterials that can replace both animal leather and meat. Recently, the company raised $10 million in a pre-Series A funding round to commercialize its biomaterials as early as next year.
“Mycelium—the fast-growing root structure of mushrooms—is being used by a number of companies around the world to replace animal leather for products ranging from car seats to shoes and handbags. Mycel will use its new funding to build out its platform, which utilizes the regenerative growing system of mycelium to produce a biomaterial that can be used for a variety of applications across industries from fashion to cosmetics to pharmaceuticals. The Seoul-headquartered startup aims to open a production plant in South Korea for scaling the manufacture of its fungi-based biomaterials and double its employee headcount to 42. Mycel is also in talks with global brands to co-develop mycelium-based leather products as well as cosmetics ingredients, with an aim to commercialize its mushroom leather in 2023.
“A spinoff company that emerged from Hyundai Motor Company’s in-house startup program, Mycel was founded in 2020 by former Hyundai employees Sungjin Sah, Sungwon Kim, and Yunggon Park. To set itself apart from other mushroom leather startups, Mycel is also targeting the meat market.
“According to the company, because mycelium has a morphological characteristic similar to that of animal muscle, it can mimic the fibrous structure of meat unlike other plant-based proteins. Additionally, mycelium is low in fat and rich in protein and dietary fiber, offering a high nutritional value as a food source. The company aims to launch its fungi-based biomaterial that will be used in alternative proteins next year.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/south-korea-vegan-mushroom-meat-hyundai
20) Report: Canada could achieve net zero by reducing meat consumption by 80%
On August 23, vegnews.com published the findings of a report by New World Animal Protection showing that Canadians could meet its 2050 climate target of net zero if they would reduce their meat consumption by 80%.
Excerpts from the story:
“If Canadians reduce their animal meat consumption by 50% by 2030, the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would be significant enough to put the country back on track to meet its 2030 climate targets, according to a report by nonprofit organization New World Animal Protection and research firm Navius Research.
“Under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Canada has committed to achieving a 40 to 45% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this commitment, emissions from all sectors of the economy will need to decline to net zero by 2050, including the agriculture sector.
“Experts predict that without urgent and drastic shifts in global meat consumption, agriculture will consume the entire world’s carbon budget necessary for keeping global temperature rises under 2°C (35.6°F) by 2050. The report indicates that for Canada’s part, Canadians will need to reduce their meat consumption by 80% by 2050 in order to meet the country’s 2050 goal of net zero.
“The report also found that if Canada’s future animal consumption is lower, it will cost 11% less for the economy to comply with the 2030 emissions target compared to a future in which animal consumption remains at current levels. For the agriculture sector, that means $4.6 billion lower in 2030 and $9.6 billion lower in 2050.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/reducing-meat-80-percent-canada-net-zero
21) New research suggests red meat ups heart disease risk by 22%
On August 23, plantbasednews.org reported about the findings of a new study by the Massachusetts’ Tufts University and the Cleveland Clinic looking at the correlation between red meat and heart disease.
Excerpts from the story:
“The observational research project was published in the peer-reviewed journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. It found that a serving of red meat can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 22%. A similar study last year linked red and processed meat consumption with an increased risk of 18%.
“The study observed 3,931 men and women, who had no history of cardiovascular disease at the start of the project. They were followed for an average of 12.5 years, during which time they submitted regular blood samples. They also answered questions about their diets. Fish, poultry, and eggs were not found to be ‘significantly’ connected to heart disease, but red meat was conclusively linked.
“Collected data has been scrutinized to try and unpack the correlation, with numerous suggestions made. One of the most viable explanations appears to be the way meat affects the gut microbiome. When digested by gut bacteria, red and processed meats produce metabolites in the blood. These have been shown to contribute to cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.
“In addition to metabolites, high blood sugar and saturated fat, plus increased inflammation, all associated with eating red meat, are being considered as potential root causes of increased heart disease risk.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/vegan-headlines/red-meat-causes-heart-disease/
22) Australia phasing out eggs from battery-farmed chickens
On August 24, plantbasednews.org reported that Australia’s poultry industry would stop producing eggs laid by chickens on battery farms.
Excerpts from the story:
“Australian battery-farmed eggs will be a thing of the past by 2036 due to stricter animal welfare laws, it has been confirmed. The announcement comes after extensive campaigning from domestic animal welfare groups aimed directly at the egg industry.
“In Australia’s current battery cage system, birds can be housed with up to 9 others. In these instances, each has space of less than an A4 sheet of paper to move, with just enough height to stand. The industry has now agreed to follow in China, Europe, and New Zealand’s footsteps by scrapping battery processes.
“The news was broken by the publication of the newly finalized Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry. The policy specifically refers to improvements that must be made to the poultry sector. These include a phasing out of battery-farmed eggs and improved general conditions for animals. The guidelines are the product of seven years of negotiations between government officials and the poultry industry.
“Egg producers are now legally required to switch up their laying processes, and they have up to 14 years to do so. By 2036, all egg professionals must comply with minimum space regulations, which require 750 square cm of “usable space” per bird.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/battery-farmed-eggs-phased-out-australia/
23) Precision-fermented vegan cheese set to change pizza forever
On August 25, vegnews.com featured precision fermentation company New Culture, which just signed a deal with agri-giant ADM, to bring its revolutionary animal-free mozzarella cheese to pizzerias in 2023.
Excerpts from the story:
“New Culture has been focusing on creating the perfect alternative to conventional cheese by developing an animal-free version of casein—the functional protein responsible for many of the favorable attributes of dairy cheese. This casein, which it makes through precision fermentation, unlocks the potential to make any vegan cheese, and New Culture is starting with mozzarella to appeal to the masses.
“Through its partnership with ADM, New Culture aims to commercialize its animal-free mozzarella cheese, as the first major step in its ultimate goal of disrupting the $70-billion global dairy market, approximately 30% of which is from cheese. For ADM, this partnership is part of the agri-giant’s investment into continued innovation around sustainable protein sourcing and production.
“New Culture co-founder Matt Gibson is originally from New Zealand, an island nation known for its expansive dairy farms. The longtime vegan has seen the destruction that dairy production has had on his homeland, like the pollution it releases into the country’s lakes and rivers. Gibson was inspired to do his part in changing the global food system when he watched Dr. Mark Post showcase the first cultivated beef burger grown using cellular agriculture in 2013. For his part, Gibson chose to tackle dairy with precision fermentation, a process that does not rely on animal cells. Instead, New Culture harnesses the power of microbes and encodes them to express casein—the protein responsible for most of the characteristics tied to dairy cheese such as mouthfeel, stretchiness, melt, and more.
“With ADM in its corner, the company can produce its animal-free cheeses at higher capacity and work together with ADM to leverage its expertise in the agribusiness space to improve product experience for future cheeses. New Culture’s innovative vegan mozzarella will begin to hit pizzeria menus in 2023.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/vegan-cheese-precision-fermentation-pizza
24) Vegan KitKat makes UK comeback
On August 26, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that Nestlé’s highly sought after vegan KitKat bars are coming back to the United Kingdom, but that it could now cost more.
Excerpts from the story:
“The KitKat V, which has been pegged as one of the biggest launches of a vegan alternative of a major confectionery brand made its debut last year. It took chocolate experts in Nestlé’s confectionery research and development two years to develop the vegan version.
“While the bar features KitKat’s iconic wafer, it uses a rice-based formula as a milk substitute. According to Louise Barrett, head of the Nestle Confectionery Product Technology Center in York, experts sampled many non-dairy alternatives including oats, soy and almond before settling on a rice-based formula that mimicked the same creamy texture of the original.
“Aside from the United Kingdom, the Swiss giant intends to roll out the vegan chocolate across 14 other European countries. Corinne Gabler is Nestle’s head of confectionery for Europe. She revealed in an interview: ‘We have four in 10 consumers saying they are interested to move to a more plant-based diet. It could be a significant market in the confectionery area.’
“It is likely that KitKat V is going to cost more than the regular version this year. The food giant explained that it is more expensive to produce the vegan version due to pricier ingredients and the need for rigorous measures to make sure no traces of dairy leach on to the production lines.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/vegan-kitkats-make-a-comeback-in-the-uk/
25) World’s 1st cultivated lamb meat can help remove slaughter, methane emissions from production
On August 26, vegnews.com reported that Israel-based Future Meat Technologies had successfully grown lamb meat using cellular agriculture, which could help reduce the 180 million-ton methane footprint created by the animal agriculture industry.
Excerpts from the story:
“In 2020, world methane emissions clocked in at 570 million metric tons, and livestock emissions according to the United Nations Environment Programme accounted for roughly 32% of that total, or 180 million metric tons. Currently, more than 100 countries, including the United States, are working together under the Global Methane Pledge to slash methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
“One solution to slashing methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas—is reducing the number of ruminants farmed for food, and cellular agriculture company Future Meat Technologies (FMT) is doing just that. The company believes there is a better way to deliver lamb meat to consumers that does not involve slaughtering baby animals or emitting methane into the environment. This week, the Israel-based company announced that it has successfully grown lamb meat from a small amount of animal cells.
“In 2019, FMT began working on cultivated lamb using isolated fibroblast cells (or cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue) from Awassi sheep, a breed common to Southwest Asia. From here, FMT established two distinct ovine cell lines that can divide indefinitely. These cells are proliferated in a media that is free from animal products, an advancement that FMT made to remove reliance on fetal bovine serum (a costly animal-derived media). The resulting meat, grown in a bioreactor instead of on an animal, is indistinguishable from traditionally grown lamb.
“Cellular agriculture not only presents an opportunity to remove animal slaughter from the meat production equation, but also removes the need to feed, water, house, and transport these animals leading to myriad environmental improvements.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/first-cultivated-lamb-meat-reduce-methane
26) 202 rabbits rescued; UK meat farm closes down
On August 27, plantbasednews.org reported that 202 rabbits had been rescued and handed over to animal rights activists after a farm closed its doors for good, the result of months of pressure from animal activists.
Excerpts from the story:
“The owner of Nottinghamshire-based T&S Rabbits, which bred and sold the animals for meat, said that he closed the farm following repeated protests and alleged vandalization of his property.
“Phillip Kerry came under fire after activists claimed he was using a legal loophole to breed rabbits for their fur. The BBC reports that the farm’s website was advertising fur products, including £275 handbags, in March of this year. Kerry claimed, however, that his business was legal and there were never any sales of these products.
“Under British law, it is an offense to keep animals solely or primarily for slaughter for their fur. It is, however, permissible to sell fur as a byproduct of breeding animals for meat.
“Campaign group Shut Down T&S Rabbits told Plant Based News that rabbits were being kept in ‘small, dirty runs’ and had the ‘bare minimum care taken by those supposedly in charge of their welfare.’ Investigators also found that dead rabbits were kept in a freezer and eventually sold off to a maggot farm to be used by a fishing bait company. Campaigners said that hidden camera footage showed that a farm worker was throwing them in there on daily basis.” (Polly Foreman, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/activism/rabbits-rescued-after-farm-closes/
27) Stella McCartney launches vegan skin care line
On August 29, totallyveganbuzz.com featured Stella McCartney as the latest celebrity to venture into the beauty industry, launching her clean and sustainable skincare brand Stella.
Excerpts from the story:
“The tightly curated lineup is created in collaboration with LVMH and has only three products: A cleanser, a serum, and a cream—for a minimalist, sustainable and clean routine. ‘I want less, and I want it to work,’ McCartney said.
“Unlike many other skin care brands, McCartney’s products have been years in the making. Each process has been meticulously planned to tick as many eco-boxes as possible, from ingredient sourcing, to the packaging as well as the shipment. Moreover, the skincare is totally cruelty free and vegan, of course.
‘“I’ve also transferred key principles from my fashion house to my skincare line. It was important to me that the brand and the products needed to have my vegan and cruelty-free principles at its heart. I’m proud to say that we have been accredited by the Cruelty-Free International Leaping Bunny Programme and the Vegan Society.’
“Raising the bar on sustainability in beauty, the brand omitted almost 2000 ingredients when formulating the products, because they found the production or extraction process to be polluting. The products will also be shipped rather than flown to the United States. This means the carbon footprint of the range has been slashed by more than a third.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/stella-mccartney-vegan-skin-care-line-conscious-beauty/
28) Plant-based meat brand sponsors FC Barcelona Femeni
On August 29, plantbasednews.org reported that FC Barcelona Femení and plant-based meat manufacturer Heura Foods had joined forces in a sponsorship agreement.
Excerpts from the story:
“Heura (which was founded in Barcelona) will work with the football club and its players to highlight the benefits of a plant-based diet. Heura’s products are now being served at all of FC Barcelona’s home matches. The brand is also being promoted on LED screens around its Estadi Johan Cruyff home stadium. A pre-season friendly against Montpellier earlier this month was the official debut of Heura’s sponsorship.
“Heura’s sponsorship of FC Barcelona is the result of shared ambition and commitment to improve the world and drive equality within sport. It follows an impressive rise to prominence by the alt-meat start-up. It raised more than €4 million in under 12 hours of its crowdfunding campaign. Giving credence to the brand’s claim that it is the fastest growing plant-based company in Europe, the successful raise fueled Heura’s ambition to disrupt the food system with alternatives to animal meat.
“The football club shared in a press statement: ‘Both brands will work on different initiatives to promote a more sustainable food system globally while collaborating to give new impetus to women’s football.’ The initiatives are yet to be expanded on. However, they will include specifically created educational content to be shared through both parties’ channels. The content will aim to inform the public about how plant-based foods can complement their lives. But also, how they can be a sustainable substitution for animal meat and dairy.”
“Similarly, Quorn and Liverpool FC are working together to bring plant-based options to home matches. They are also investigating the impact of meat-free foods on players’ recovery times.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/barcelona-fc-heura-sponsorship/
29) Irish farmers ordered to reduce cow numbers by 1M to meet climate targets
On August 30, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that farmers in Ireland are now being pressured to reduce their cattle numbers after the government laid down emission targets to tackle the climate crisis.
Excerpts from the story:
“Ireland’s 135,000 farms produce 37.5% of national emissions, the highest proportion in the European Union, and the biggest contributor to that is methane production associated with cattle burps and farts.
“In a bid to slash overall carbon emissions by 51% by 2030, the government imposed a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030.
“Ireland has 7.3 million cattle, and while agriculture cuts will be incentivized and voluntary, cattle farmers are facing pressure to cull cattle, which has sparked a bitter battle between farmers, business groups and environmentalists. According to Pat McCormack, head of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, a 25% cut in agricultural emissions will drive many farms into bankruptcy. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of cows will be needlessly slaughtered.
“John Sweeney, a climate expert at Maynooth University, said that Ireland will need to reduce its herd of cows by at least 1 million by 2030.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/environment/irish-farmers-cow-numbers-climate-targets/
30) New study finds processed meat linked to higher risk of colorectal cancer in men
On August 31, vegnews.com revealed details of a new study from Tufts University and Harvard University that found the strongest association between colorectal cancer and ultra-processed foods has come from meat.
Excerpts from the story:
“The high consumption of ultra-processed foods comes with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in men, according to new research from Tufts University and Harvard University. Notably, the research found the strongest association between colorectal cancer and ultra-processed foods among men came from meat, poultry, and fish products.
“In the study, published in peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ, researchers found that men who consumed high rates of ultra-processed foods were at 29% higher risk for developing colorectal cancer—the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States—than men who consumed much smaller amounts. They did not find the same association in women.
“According to the World Health Organization, processed meats such as bacon, ham, and sausage are a Group 1 carcinogenic and red meat such as beef and pork is linked to colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.
“This particular study analyzed responses from more than 200,000 participants—159,907 women and 46,341 men—across three large prospective studies which assessed dietary intake and were conducted over more than 25 years. Each participant was provided with a food frequency questionnaire every four years and asked about the frequency of consumption of roughly 130 foods.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/8/processed-meat-colorectal-cancer-study
31) Cultured meat could be the answer to global overfishing
On August 31, plantbasednews.org reported that amidst the global overfishing crisis, recent developments in food science is enabling food tech companies to make fish products without the fish.
Excerpts from the story:
“Already this year, more than 3 billion fish and more than 43 billion shellfish have been slaughtered for food in the United States. Global estimates state that up to 2.7 trillion wild fish are caught and killed every year. For farmed fish, it’s up to 167 billion. Not only is this cruel (research confirms that fish do suffer and feel pain), but it’s also not sustainable. According to WWF, overfishing, which happens when we fish faster than the population can cope with, is driving a decline in ocean wildlife.
“Recent developments in food science are threatening to change the way we eat for good. Based in Germany, food tech company Bluu Seafood has unveiled two products: Fish sticks and fish balls. Bluu Seafood starts by taking cells from a real animal. This happens just once. Next, the fish cells are duplicated and fed nutrients inside a bioreactor, before they are grown in fish-like ‘scaffolding.’ The result is meat that looks and tastes like it’s come from regular fish but without the mass slaughter.
“California-based cultured seafood company BlueNalu signed a deal with multinational sushi restaurant operator Food & Life Companies to develop toro, the belly portion of bluefin tuna used in sushi. And in Singapore, Shiok Meats is also focused on seafood. It launched the world’s first cultured lobster meat in 2020.
“Loma Linda, Future Foods, Quorn, Good Catch, Sophie’s Kitchen, and Gardein all make vegan fish-like products, using only plants. Impossible Foods has also reportedly been working on plant-based fish for a while. In the next decade, some reports state that the global plant-based seafood market could hit more than $1.3 billion.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/cultured-meat-answer-global-overfishing-crisis/