Here’s what’s been happening for the vegan and plant-based advocacies around the world last July. 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.
Study indicates 2 servings of fish a week linked to skin cancer
On July 5, totallyveganbuzz.com revealed a Brown University Study showing fish laden with bio-contaminants like mercury were a likely cause of skin cancer.
Excerpts from the story:
“According to recent research by a Brown University team, a typical daily intake of fish of 42.8g (equivalent to about 300g per week) can increase the risk of malignant melanoma by 22%. The study has been published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control.
“Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States. It is highly invasive and has the highest risk of fatal outcomes. According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of developing it over a lifetime is one in 38 for white people, one in 1,000 for Black people and one in 167 for Hispanic people.
“The review team used data from 491,367 older Americans, aged 50-71, over 15 years of follow-up to determine if there was a link between cancer risk and eating fish. The NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study recorded participants’ frequency and portion sizes of fried fish, tuna, and non-fried fish intake and how often they developed cancer. The study accounted for factors such as smoking, body mass index, physical activity, daily intake of alcohol, caffeine, and calories as well as family history of cancer. It also accounted for the average ultraviolet radiation levels in each participant’s area since one’s risk of developing melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns.
“In the analysis, the team found that people who ate about two servings of fish per week, on average, had a 22% higher risk of developing melanoma, and a 28% higher risk of developing abnormal skin cells – stage 0 melanoma – than people who ate less than half a serving.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/two-servings-of-fish-a-week-linked-to-skin-cancer/
UK vegan school meal petition approaches deadline
On July 7, vegansociety.com disclosed that the deadline for people to add their names to The Vegan Society’s petition requesting the UK government to make a daily hot vegan meal option mandatory for every school was fast approaching.
Excerpts from the story:
“The petition, spearheaded by vegan granddad Aaron Browning, was launched in April and now has nearly 23,000 signatures. It needs to reach 100,000 by August 17 to have the topic debated in Parliament.
“While the 2010 Equality Act places a duty on educators not to discriminate against vegan children and students, currently, the government only asks that schools make ‘reasonable choices’ when deciding whether to cater for vegans in their care. Meanwhile, the School Food Regulations 2014 introduced requirements for schools to provide portions of certain foods, but not specifically a vegan option.
“However, Browning, who is from Crewe, believes schools should be required to provide a nutritionally balanced, hot vegan meal on a daily basis. Aaron’s mission caught the eye of Chair of The Vegan Society’s Education Network and the UK’s only vegan-inclusive education specialist, Laura Chepner. Laura has made it her mission to get the petition in front of key policymakers and government officials. She has written letters and emails to more than 100 vegan brands, manufacturers, businesses, MPs, charities, influencers and celebrities, asking them to sign and share the petition.
“And now, with the deadline looming, the Education Chair is urging yet more vegans, teachers, parents and guardians to sign and share the petition in a bid to reach the 100,000 milestone. (vegansociety.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/urgent-call-support-vegan-society%E2%80%99s-vegan-school-meal-petition-approaches-deadline-0
Dubai school world’s first to add vegan shoes to uniform
On July 7, totallyveganbuzz.com featured Swiss International School Dubai, the emirate’s first bilingual International Baccalaureate School, which has become the world’s first to incorporate vegan shoes as part of its uniform.
Excerpts from the story:
“The school based in Al Jadaf, has added Thaely‘s sustainable Y2K Pro trainer—ethically made of recycled materials—to its uniform.
“Thaely, launched in 2021, gets its name from a word used in Hindi for plastic bags. The ethical vegan shoe brand is the brainchild of Dubai student and entrepreneur Ashay Bhave. Bhave developed the prototype as a design exercise to find a solution to the problem of the 100 billion plastic bags used each year that use 12 million barrels of oil and kill 100,000 marine animals annually.
“The design, along with its business plan, won first place at Amity University Dubai’s 2019 Eureka startup pitch competition. Bhave used the funding to develop a commercial version of the prototype, which was released last year. The design is inspired by early 2000s basketball trainers, and all components, including the glue, are PETA-certified vegan. Additionally, each pair of shoes is sold in a box made from recycled paper dyed with coffee grounds and embedded with basil seeds for replanting. The shoes are also packed in a shopping tote made from four plastic bottles.
“Since its launch, Thaely has saved more than 48,000 bottles and 40,000 plastic bags from being dumped in the landfill.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/lifestyle/dubai-school-add-vegan-shoes-to-its-uniform/
Survey shows 1 in 4 Brits cutting back on animal products in response to ‘new normal’
On July 11, vegansociety.com reported its new research findings showing a large number of Brits have been cutting back on the amount of animal products they’re consuming since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Excerpts from the story:
“The Vegan Society’s latest research from March 2022 discovered that 17% of Brits have actively reduced the amount of meat they’re consuming, while 8% have cut back on dairy and/or eggs. Three percent say they’ve cut back on both. For the first time this year, the survey also asked respondents about their fish intake, with 6% revealing they’ve cut back on the quantities of fish and seafood they’re buying and consuming. In total that means almost one in four of us (23%) have minimized the amount of animal products on our plates.
“When comparing this to our Changing Diets During the Covid-19 Pandemic report from the same time last year, we can see that the number of shoppers cutting back on animal products has remained steady since the pandemic started. This was also prevalent in our initial Covid-19 survey, which ran in April 2020, showing that one in five had cut down on meat consumption.
“While the pandemic, Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis have all been cited as having a significant impact on our shopping habits, the top three reasons respondents gave for cutting back on animal products included health concerns (36%), environmental reasons (28%) and animal rights issues (20%). Twelve percent said it was the cost of animal products that had motivated them to cut back, compared with 8% in 2021, highlighting the United Kingdom’s spiraling cost of living crisis.
“In 2020, The Vegan Society launched the Live Vegan for Less campaign in response to growing financial concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic. This campaign has recently been relaunched to showcase that vegan living can be affordable for all, as many households face rocketing energy and food bills.” (vegansociety.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/almost-quarter-brits-are-cutting-back-animal-products-response-new-normal-survey-reveals
Gordon Ramsay confesses love for vegan food
On July 13, vegnews.com revealed that on that day’s episode of “Master Chef” wherein the show holds its first vegan cooking challenge called “Gordon Ramsay Loves Vegans”, the host confessed to the long-kept secret that he actually loves vegan food.
Excerpts from the story:
“Season 12 of the American reality television cooking competition, officially titled ‘MasterChef: Back to Win’, features the return of contestants from previous seasons to have a second chance to win. On the vegan challenge episode, Ramsay playfully admits that he has a secret to share while he explains the vegan challenge to the competing chefs.
‘“It’s a secret that’s so big, I’m almost afraid to say it on national television,’ Ramsay says. Ramsay, who has been known to joke and ridicule vegans and vegan food in past years, causes many of the chefs to raise their eyebrows and look shocked by what he might reveal.
‘“After all these years, I can finally admit that I actually love vegan food,’ Ramsay finally reveals. Before the chef demonstrates his beet Wellington—a vegan twist on the traditional meat dish—he drives home his point one more time. ‘It’s taken me 20 years to get to this point,’ he says.
“While Ramsay was formerly a staunch critic (of veganism), he revealed on Twitter that he was ‘going to give this vegan thing a try’.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/gordon-ramsay-masterchef-vegan-food
Animal rights groups move to ban rodeo in New Zealand
On July 13, plantbasednews.org reported that animal rights groups in New Zealand have launched a legal bid to ban rodeo within the country, and public opinion has shown support to the ban.
Excerpts from the story:
“The New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) and domestic animal rights group SAFE say that rodeo is an ‘unnecessary and unlawful’ sport that contravenes the 1999 Animal Welfare Act.
“NZALA and SAFE are working together to bring the Agriculture Minister and National Welfare Advisory Committee to court for a review of the welfare code connected specifically to rodeo.
“Originating in the United States, rodeo has been adopted by a small contingent of self-proclaimed New Zealand cowboys. Rodeo has its own animal welfare code, which was drawn up in 2014 and then updated in 2018. SAFE argues that due process was not followed when drawing up this code. As a result, it is in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The case hinges on a clause that specifically prohibits any ‘unnecessary distress or pain’ from being inflicted on animals. SAFE states that, in contrast, the rodeo animal welfare code normalizes animal mistreatment.
“In a demonstration of changing mindsets, the general population of New Zealand appears to support a rodeo ban. A survey conducted by Horizon Research in 2020, on behalf of SAFE, revealed that 51% of respondents want to see the sport outlawed. When asked further questions, 66% agreed that animals suffering for entertainment is not a price worth paying. Rodeo has already been banned in parts of Europe, Australia, and the United States.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/animal-rights-group-ban-new-zealand-rodeo/
‘Thor’ star stopped eating meat for onscreen kiss with Natalie Portman
On July 14, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that in a recent interview, actor Natalie Portman praised Chris Hemsworth for not eating meat before filming a passionate scene for their recent movie.
Excerpts from the story:
“She called Hemsworth ‘thoughtful’ and ‘really nice’ for not eating meat before their onscreen kiss in the Marvel Cinematic Universe flick ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. She made the comments on a Capital FM interview with Roman Kemp.
“Portman said: ‘The day we had a kiss scene he didn’t eat meat that morning because I’m vegan. And he eats meat like every half hour. Like, that was so thoughtful.’
“While Hemsworth is a renowned meat eater, his personal trainer Luke Zocchi did reveal on ‘Today Extra’, an Australian news and talk show, that Hemsworth had adopted a vegan diet while filming ‘Thor’ and ‘Avengers’ in the past.
“Portman, on the other hand, has been a long-time vegan. She has regularly advocated the diet and used her influence and resources to support vegan businesses. (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/chris-hemsworth-stopped-eating-meat-for-onscreen-thor-kiss-with-natalie-portman/
Study shows 55% of new parents want more plant-based protein for their kids
On July 14, vegnews.com revealed the findings of a Gerber-commissioned study revealing 55% of parents wanting to introduce plant-based protein to their kids, but wouldn’t know how to incorporate them into their diets.
Excerpts from the story:
“Commissioned by popular baby food brand Gerber and conducted by One Poll, the study included a survey of 2,000 new parents and found that 55% of them have a child with picky eating habits who is hesitant to try new foods, with a majority of parents (83%) worrying their kids might not get the nutrients they need because of their fussiness.
“Two out of three parents want their young kids to explore new foods, such as plant-based protein, but it’s no surprise that 4 in 10 feel stressed when offering foods their children are unfamiliar with. With this in mind, 55% of parents also struggle to find foods that are nutritious, interesting, flavorful, and can be safely fed to their children. About the same amount (54%) of parents also admitted they don’t know enough about the nutrients available in plant-based foods to feel confident feeding them to their children.
“For parents struggling to feed their children more diverse foods, the most common barriers include a lack of information about the types of nutrients their child needs (45%), the child’s preferences (28%), and cost (22%). Additionally, 62% of parents feel it is important for their child to explore new foods. Meanwhile, 55% said it’s important for their children to eat the same diet as they do.
“With more parents discovering plant-based proteins with their kids, a health study published in the medical journal Pediatrics earlier this year revealed that children who eat a vegetarian diet have similar measures of growth and nutrition to children who eat meat.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/parents-plant-based-protein-children
Lenny Kravitz, Anitta ‘Most Beautiful Vegan Celebs’ of 2022
On July 15, totallyveganbuzz.com announced that superstar musicians Lenny Kravitz and Anitta had been crowned the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2022 by animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Excerpts from the story:
“Each year, the vegan charity presents the award to celebrities whose lifestyles inspire others to try the vegan lifestyle and plant-based diet.
“The duo join an impressive lineup of past winners such as Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Anderson Paak, Jhené Aiko and Leona Lewis.
“58-year-old singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz, who moved to the Bahamas amid the raging pandemic, gave a peek into his lifestyle during a Men’s Health interview in 2020. The legendary rock star showed off his beautiful gardens where he grows practically all his own produce. ‘As you can see, I’m vegan and primarily raw,’ he told the publication at the time.
“Meanwhile, Brazilian singer Larissa de Macedo Machado, better known by her stage name Anitta, was inspired to ditch animal products in 2019 after watching the vegan documentary ‘Cowspiracy’. She even encouraged her then Instagram followers to watch the documentary and make educated changes to their lifestyles.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/lenny-kravitz-anitta-crowned-most-beautiful-vegan-celebs-of-2022/
Vegan fungi bioreactor aboard SpaceX mission
On July 18, vegnews.com revealed that a vegan fungi protein bioreactor has been in orbit aboard the SpaceX-25 to test ways to provide nourishment for space exploration.
Excerpts from the story:
“A vegan fungi protein bioreactor from Chicago-based company Nature’s Fynd is now in orbit aboard the SpaceX-25 to develop new ways to provide nutritious, sustainable protein for space exploration. The flight is the next step in Nature’s Fynd’s ongoing collaboration with NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, Montana State University, and BioServe Space Technologies, a center within the University of Colorado Boulder.
“The goal of the flight study is to demonstrate the use of a novel bioreactor technology for growing high-protein food on the International Space Station (ISS). So far, this bioreactor technology has proven to efficiently convert simple feedstocks on Earth, including vegetation and other plant material into high-protein fungi. Now, this flight will research the bioreactor’s efficacy under low-Earth orbit microgravity and radiation conditions.
“The novel bioreactor onboard the ISS will grow Fy, Nature’s Fynd’s versatile, nutritional fungi protein with origins in an acidic hot spring at Yellowstone National Park. It is grown using the company’s patented fermentation technology—which uses a fraction of the land, water, and energy required by traditional agriculture. Packed with all 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential ones, Fy is a complete vegan protein as well as a source of fiber and other essential nutrients.
“Raising over $500 million dollars to date, Nature Fynd’s use of microbial fermentation to create meat and dairy analogues is highly efficient because it requires less land, no soil, and no animal slaughter and can produce protein around the clock, whereas meat production is tied to animal biology.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/vegan-fungi-protein-spacex
How to get enough vitamin D on a vegan diet
On July 19, plantbasednews.org featured vitamin D as an essential nutrient for good health, but often difficult to obtain enough of from foods or sunlight in certain regions of the world.
Excerpts from the story:
“Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that people consume in some foods and make in the body from ultraviolet rays from sunlight. We need vitamin D for several essential functions in the body, including: Helping calcium absorption, maintaining strong bones, and preventing osteoporosis; for nerve transmission and muscle function; supporting the immune system; reducing inflammation; regulating genes and cell growth.
“Although current evidence is inconclusive, some studies suggest that vitamin D may help to prevent some types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, scientists have observed an increased risk of depression with lower vitamin D levels. Children with insufficient vitamin D may develop rickets, and adults with a deficiency may develop osteomalacia, the softening of the bones.
“In the United Kingdom, the government maintains that everyone over one year old needs 10 micrograms (mcg) a day of vitamin D. The recommendation includes pregnant or lactating people and those groups at an increased risk of deficiency.
“Some mushrooms are grown under ultraviolet light to increase their vitamin D content. Those eating a plant-based diet can also find products fortified with vitamin D, such as plant milks, margarine, or vegan breakfast cereals. There are also plant-based supplements to take as an additional safeguard.” (Louisa Richards, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/your-health/health-wellbeing/vitamin-d-plant-based-diet/
Pope Francis urges youth to eat less meat
On July 20, vegnews.com reported that, in a letter, Pope Francis urged attendees of the EU Youth Conference to eat less meat as a means of mitigating the climate crisis.
Excerpts from the story:
“Prior to the EU Youth Conference in Prague, Catholic religious leader Pope Francis released a letter that said: ‘I invite you to transform the ‘old continent’ into a ‘new continent,’ and this is only possible with you. I know that your generation has some good cards to play: you are attentive young people, less ideologized, accustomed to studying in other European countries, open to volunteering and sensitive to environmental issues. This is why I feel there is hope.’
‘“May you aspire to a life of dignity and sobriety, without luxury and waste, so that everyone in our world can enjoy a dignified existence. There is an urgent need to reduce the consumption not only of fossil fuels but also of so many superfluous things. In certain areas of the world, too, it would be appropriate to consume less meat: this too can help save the environment.’
“Pope Francis has been a longtime advocate for climate action. However, while Pope Francis is said to have a diet rich in vegetables, he does not eschew all animal products. In 2019, the religious leader was challenged by nonprofit Million Dollar Vegan to go vegan for Lent, which Catholics observe in early spring by giving up meat (which often excludes fish) and other ‘sinful’ foods and practices as a symbol of piety. If the Pope accepted the challenge—which was presented to him by young activist Genesis Butler, actress Mena Suvari, Sir Paul McCartney, and more—the nonprofit would donate $1 million to a charity of his choosing.
“Ultimately, Pope Francis did not accept the offer, drawing criticism from legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot. ‘I am Catholic but I protest against the decisions of Pope Francis, who chose this name in homage to St. Francis of Assisi and does nothing to improve the condition of animals,’ Bardot tweeted at the time.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/pope-francis-youth-eat-less-meat
Vegan protein swap can offset all UK aviation emissions
On July 19, vegnews.com reported a Greenforce data analysis showing that replacing climate-intensive beef with pea protein-based meals twice per week would result in savings of 2.4 million metric tons of methane.
Excerpts from the story:
“The 100-year global warming potential (GWP) of methane is a minimum of 28—which means that one metric ton of methane emission in the atmosphere creates the same warming as 28 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This means that making the dietary switch from beef to pea protein would result in a savings of 67.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
“Looking at it another way, if this switch were implemented in the United Kingdom, it would offset 52% more than the equivalent of the carbon footprint produced by the country’s aviation industry (which in 2018 was recorded as 39.3 metric tons). Greenforce spokesperson and record-breaking strongman Patrik Baboumian is calling for this change as part of a meaningful effort to mitigate the climate crisis.
“This recent analysis adds to a growing body of research that shows that diet change can help fight climate change. According to a comprehensive Oxford University study released in 2018, the meat and dairy industries are responsible for 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and if individuals removed animal products from their diets, they would reduce their carbon footprint by 73%.
“Greenforce is a German startup founded on the principles of drastically reducing environmental impact with its shelf stable, pea protein-based meals that use 8 times less water and 48 times less land than ground beef.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/vegan-protein-offset-uk-aviation-emissions
Study reveals US emissions cause $2T damage to other countries
On July 19, plantbasednews.org reported about a new analysis showing excessive greenhouse gas emissions from the United States causing nearly $2 trillion in damage to other countries.
Excerpts from the story:
“A study from Dartmouth College evaluated the impact of US greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. It discovered that they have contributed to heatwaves, crop failures, and more natural disasters in other countries, most of them poorer. This amounts to more than $1.9 trillion in lost global income.
“Together, China, the United States, India, Russia, and Brazil have caused around $6 trillion in losses around the world.
“The study follows a 2021 report that found that the US is the biggest emitter of carbon in history. And that, together with China, it is the most historically responsible for the climate crisis, thanks to fossil fuel production, land use change, deforestation, and cement. (Russia, Brazil, the UK, and Canada were also in the top 10.)
“Earlier this year, researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany noted that rich countries need to cut meat consumption by at least 75%, as they are putting an unnecessary strain on the planet through excessive demand for animal products. Not only is the meat industry incredibly resource-intensive (just one steak requires the equivalent of 40 bathtubs of water), but it also emits 14.5% of global greenhouse gasses and drives deforestation and habitat destruction.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/environment/us-emissions-damage-other-countries-study/
US Navy to roll-out vegan meat as part of pilot program
On July 19, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that US Navy could soon be serving Beyond Burgers or Gardein, with a bill specifying the Navy to prioritize forward operating bases where animal-based protein options may be costly to obtain or store.
Excerpts from the story:
“The provision was added to Section 222 of the annual defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by the House last week.
“According to the amendment, the Navy must launch a pilot program for offering ‘plant-based protein options at forward operating bases for consumption by members of the Navy.’
“The bill—introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat who served at the State Department, Central Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense before she was elected to Congress in 2019—specified that the Navy should prioritize forward operating bases such as Guam, Japan, and Joint Region Marianas for the program, or similar places ‘where livestock-based protein options may be costly to obtain or store.’
“While plant-based protein is not only healthier and sustainable, it is also more affordable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has reached a 40-year peak of 9.1% over the past 12 months. While soaring energy prices are a major factor driving the climbing costs, meat prices have skyrocketed in comparison to other food items, climbing more than 15% year over year. (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/the-navy-to-roll-out-vegan-meat-at-bases/
New research suggests unsupportive family, friends stopping people from turning vegan
On July 19, plantbasednews.org showed new research suggesting that the biggest obstacle to adopting a vegan lifestyle would be an unsupportive social circle.
Excerpts from the story:
“The findings come from a data analysis of the dating app Veggly’s 700,000 users. More than half (51.4%) said that lack of support from family and friends makes transitioning to veganism tough.
“Giving up cheese and eggs was the second biggest stumbling block. More than 40% cited this as a reason against turning vegan. Quitting meat was the toughest challenge for just 8.4% of platform users.
“Many reasons are commonly cited for choosing not to transition to veganism. Among them are cost, meat-eating traditions, and health concerns. Despite evidence that athletic performance is not hindered by a balanced vegan nutrition plan, ongoing concerns surrounding protein intake prevail as well. But these worries are not as common as panic about being ostracized by family and friends.
“Veggly reports that 21.5% of its members claim to have widened their friendship circles and support networks. It comes as a result of using the app, despite it being primarily geared towards facilitating romantic connections. Virtual vegan communities are increasingly gaining traction.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/unsupportive-family-friends-prevent-people-vegan-research/
4,000 beagles saved from animal testing facility in Virginia
On July 19, plantbasednews.org reported that 4,000 beagles had been saved from animal testing, with the help of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), but then the next challenge would be finding homes for all of them.
Excerpts from the story:
“The animal welfare organization recently responded to a call from the US Department of Justice. It was asking for help with removing thousands of dogs from a breeding facility in Virginia. The facility, owned by research organization Envigo, was supplying animals to laboratories for testing. The dogs were discovered earlier this year in overcrowded, ‘shocking’ conditions.
“HSUS reports that some nursing mothers were denied food, several puppies had died from the cold, and food was maggot-infested. Some animals were killed instead of being taken to the vet for simple treatments. Earlier in July, after inspection reports exposed the facility, a judge ordered that the remaining 4,000 dogs be released.
“HSUS is being supported by rescue organizations across the United States as it attempts to find a new home for all of the animals. HSUS notes that it is already difficult to find homes for dogs in the middle of summer. Shelters are usually over capacity. A blog post written by Sara Amundson, the president of the nonprofit’s legislative fund, states that the rescue will be a ‘feat of epic proportions’.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/beagles-saved-animal-testing-facility-virginia/
Hotel’s menu is going plant-based at 155 locations
On July 20, vegnews.com featured digital nomad-style hotel chain Selina as it began creating vegan menus using Redefine Meat to target the vegan leanings of millennial and Gen Z travelers.
Excerpts from the story:
“Selina, which specializes in digital nomad-style hotels, is partnering with Israel-based vegan meat brand Redefine Meat to bring more plant-based options to the hospitality brand’s 155 hotels worldwide. Selina’s ultimate goal is to create a plant-based version of every menu item at all locations in an effort to meet the growing interest in vegan lifestyles of Millennial and Gen Z travelers.
“According to a 2021 report by market research firm The NDP Group, millennials and Gen Z are driving the growing demand for alternatives to dairy and meat because of their interest in better health, sustainability, and animal welfare and their knowledge of the benefits of a vegan diet in these areas. Research conducted earlier this year by UK-based dairy co-operative Arla also indicated that nearly half of the Gen Z demographic is ‘ashamed’ of ordering dairy milk in public.
“Both Selina and Redefine Meat share a joint vision of environmental responsibility and are appealing to an audience that is increasingly knowledgeable about the environmentally damaging effects of animal agriculture and looking for alternatives. Selina caters to the needs of a growing segment of travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers, mostly within the millennial and Gen Z generations. While the hospitality brand’s previous brand standard for plant-based menu items was merely 25%, Selina has realized that there is a need for more animal-free options to bring itself in line with its mission and the needs of its guests.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/Selina-hotel-plant-based-menus
American Express ditches crocodile skin from online store
On July 20, plantbasednews.org reported that American Express would no longer offer crocodile skin items in its online membership rewards store.
Excerpts from the story:
“Following pressure from PETA US, American Express card customers can no longer buy anything made with crocodile skins from the multinational’s own online shop.
“According to the animal rights organization, more than 300,000 of its members sent messages to American Express, urging the company to stop supporting the exotic animal skin trade. Now, it has obliged.
“The crocodile skin industry has come under fire for cruelty. In 2016, PETA released findings from an investigation in Vietnam, which found animals living in cramped, concrete enclosures. Workers gave crocodiles electric shocks, before cutting their necks and inserting rods into their throats. The organization also claimed to find evidence that some crocodiles may have been skinned alive.
“Luxury brands Burberry, Chanel, and Altuzarra have also ditched exotic animal skins in recent years.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/american-express-ditches-crocodile-skin-store/
French activists halt Tour de France over climate crisis inaction
On July 21, plantbasednews.org broke the news about environmental activist organization Dernière Rénovation (DR) disrupting two stages of the Tour de France to demand that the French government take immediate climate action.
Excerpts from the story:
“Activists conducted two nonviolent civil resistance activities by sitting in the road on known TdF routes. The groups drew parallels between the ‘mad race towards the annihilation of our society’ and the endurance event itself.
“DR carried out a similar protest at the French Open on June 3, citing similar environmental demands. Chief amongst them is for the government to commit to renovating all buildings to be more energy efficient by 2040. DR was founded in April and has claimed 14 acts of civil disobedience to date.
“Nine DR members were arrested on July 12, after the 10th TdF stage was brought to a halt. Protestors sat in the road and forced the three-week race to stop. They wore T-shirts displaying the number of days left until the climate emergency is too far gone to rectify. Flares were set off to inhibit rider visibility. This led French police to drag protesters off the tarmac to allow the race to resume. Professional cyclists were forced to pull up for 12 minutes, 21 miles from the end of the stage.
“Frequently touted as a natural way to reduce transportation emissions, cycling was discussed at COP26, albeit unofficially. It was notably absent from the transport day agenda on November 10. However, factions within the $59.3-billion cycling industry take umbrage at the idea that bikes are an easy climate crisis fix.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/activism/tour-de-france-disrupted-by-climate-activists/
California invests $5M in alternative protein research at 3 universities
On July 25, vegnews.com reported that the State of California had granted $5 million to three universities to further their research in alternative proteins.
Excerpts from the story:
“California recently made a landmark investment of $5 million in supporting research around alternative proteins at three University of California campuses. The funding will be available to programs working on plant-based and cell-cultured protein research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), UC Davis, and UC Berkeley.
“From Beyond Meat to Impossible Foods to Eat Just, California is home to more than 80 alternative protein innovators, according to nonprofit Good Food Institute (GFI). These include companies such as Prime Roots, a vegan deli meat brand that got its start at the “Plant-Based Seafood Collider” course at UC Berkeley—the type of program this $5 million investment from the state can fund. Other companies that have emerged from UC school programs include Sundial Foods (a Nestlé-backed company that makes realistic vegan chicken wings) and Orbillion (which is working on cell-cultured meats from heritage breed animals).
“A group of 14 California-based companies signed a letter in support of this budget allocation, including Upside Foods, a cellular agriculture company working to make animals in the food system obsolete by creating identical cultured meats. In their letter, the companies pointed out that not only does this funding directly support research in alternative proteins, but creates side benefits such as new revenue streams for California’s farmers, economic opportunities for California entrepreneurs, and move toward increasing the nation’s food security.
“In addition to supporting the alternative protein sector, California is ensuring that the future generation of leaders will be well-fed with plant-based meals that are environmentally friendly. As part of this year’s $308-billion state budget, California also earmarked $700 million for supporting plant-based initiatives at its schools—becoming the first US state to invest public funds into plant-based school meals.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/california-5-million-alternative-protein-research
Malaysian government seizes $18M worth of illegal animal parts
On July 25, plantbasednews.org reported that Malaysian authorities confiscated six tons of illegal animal parts, worth nearly $18 million, in one of the country’s biggest-ever wildlife trade seizures.
Excerpts from the story:
“The haul of trafficked parts includes elephant tusks, rhino horns, tiger bones, and pangolin scales. General Zazuli Johan, Malaysia’s customs director, says the parts came from Africa.
“It’s likely they were on their way to China, the world’s biggest market for illegal wildlife products. Malaysia, along with other Southeast Asian countries, is one of the illicit industry’s key transit points. Investigations into the seizure are still ongoing.
“Seizures like this are significant. But more needs to be done to end the illegal wildlife trade, according to Kanitha Krishnasamy, the director of the wildlife trade monitoring network Traffic.
“The newly seized shipment contained 100 kg of pangolin scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The animals are the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world. The smuggled animal parts also led to the biggest-ever seizure of elephant tusks in Malaysia, with 6,000 kg confiscated.” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/environment/malaysian-authorities-illegal-animal-parts/
Over 10.5 million animals cruelly experimented on in EU labs each year
On July 26, totallyveganbuzz.com reported on an EU legislation governing animal experiments which revealed that in 2019 alone, 9.3 million experiments were conducted on animals in the European Union.
Excerpts from the story:
“However, the total number of animals suffering in the labs is even more shocking at 10.5 million. The statistics reveal that a further 1.2 million procedures involved using animals with a harmful genetic mutation to create or maintain colonies of genetically altered (GA) animals.
“Moreover, among the 10.5 million who were experimented on, over 9 million included mice, rats, and fish as ‘they’re considered cheap, disposable, and convenient to keep in confined spaces.’ Other animals used in the experiments included 10,203 primates, 20,585 dogs, and 3,707 cats.
“Consistent with previous years, most tests were carried out in the United Kingdom (2,304,461; still an EU member state in 2019), Germany (2,202,592) and France (1,865,403). Furthermore, researchers admitted that 41% of the tests conducted were considered to have caused moderate (3,404,878) or severe (959,639) suffering to the animals involved.
“Animal rights campaigners have been urging the EU to commit to phasing out all animal experiments and transitioning to completely animal-free science for years. In a 2020 poll carried out for Cruelty Free Europe, nearly 72% of EU citizens agreed that the union should set binding targets and deadlines to phase out testing on animals. Last September, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted (667 to 4) in support of an action plan to end all experiments on animals.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/beauty-and-fashion/more-than-10-5-million-animals-used-for-cruel-experiments-in-eu-labs-each-year/
Research shows plant-based diet better vs keto for cancer prevention
On July 26, vegnews.com revealed a JAMA Oncology-published review that showed a plant-based diet is better than keto for reducing cancer risk and helping people live healthier lives.
Excerpts from the story:
“A whole food plant-based diet beats out a keto diet when it comes to reducing cancer risk and helping people live healthier lives after cancer treatment, according to a recent review published in medical journal JAMA Oncology. In the review, researchers compared the two popular diets to see which one had more evidence supporting its potential to lower cancer risk and improve the health of cancer survivors.
“The two experts who conducted the review were hematologic oncologist Urvi Shah, MD, and medical oncologist Neil Iyengar, MD, of New York’s Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, both of whom conduct research aimed at understanding the connection between nutrition and cancer.
“The researchers defined a whole food plant-based diet as one that focuses on nutrient-dense plant foods such as nuts, fruits, vegetables, and beans; and keto was defined as one that is high in animal protein with some starchy vegetables. Using clinical trial data, they determined that a plant-based diet can better negate several risk factors for cancer, including excess fat, inflammation, insulin resistance, and elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor (a protein that is known to promote cancer development). Additionally, because plant-based foods are also rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids, they offer cancer-fighting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.
“The authors point out that their conclusion about a plant-based diet is particularly apparent when they looked at bigger populations, including three large studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, and France. All three of these studies found that people who ate more plants and less animal protein had less cancer overall, which is consistent with other studies and included in the guidelines by the American Institute of Cancer Research and American Cancer Society—all of which recommend diets that emphasize plant-based food.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/plant-based-keto-cancer-prevention
India implements vegan food regulations
On July 26, plantbasednews.org announced that, for the first time, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had implemented regulations for vegan food products within the country, primarily to protect both consumers and manufacturers.
Excerpts from the story:
“FSSAI is explicit in its definition of vegan food: it is a consumable that uses no animal products at all. This begins with the ingredients list and extends to the manufacturing process.
“All production environments must be free of animal products. But if they cannot be avoided entirely, brands should adhere to strict anti-contaminant practices. Animal testing is strictly prohibited during the development of vegan food (unless FSSAI gives permission).
“Food products have to display a plant-based logo. Additionally, they have to use packaging that makes the animal-free nature of the food evident. Vegan products imported from outside of India will need to adhere to the same labeling rules.
“According to New Food Magazine, taste and nutrition company Kerry identifies India as a growth-driving market for the plant-based food sector. Surveys revealed a general openness to vegan food options, with 41% of the population already eating six or more plant protein varieties.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/law/india-vegan-food-regulations/
32 members of US Congress push for meatless fare at all federal facilities
On July 26, vegnews.com reported that 32 members of the US Congress urged President Joe Biden to put at least one vegetarian entrée on the menu of every federal cafeteria to improve the health of Americans and mitigate the climate crisis.
Excerpts from the story:
“A letter sent to President Joe Biden by Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MA) and 31 other United States House of Representatives members asked for a meatless meal to be a requirement for federal facilities ranging from museums to national parks to military bases.
“The Congress members are asking the White House to implement this change for myriad reasons, including to provide more access for government employees and visitors to federal facilities to plant-based meals that help curb illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, while at the same time reducing the country’s carbon footprint. In the letter, the Congress members cited statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency that show animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
“‘More and more Americans are interested in vegetarian options—especially younger Americans, who are seeking out healthier options that also reduce their carbon footprint,’ the lawmakers wrote. ‘Although the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities recommends that federal facilities ‘offer protein foods from plants’ and defines an entrée as ‘meat’ or ‘meat alternate,’ vegetarian entrées are still not routinely provided at federal facilities … To help ensure the federal government is leading through its own food practices, we urge you to make a vegetarian entrée available everywhere the federal government is serving our people a meal.”
“The Congress members intentionally sent their demand letter ahead of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, an event in September when the Biden Administration will map out its strategy to alleviate hunger, improve nutrition, and increase physical activity across the nation.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/7/jamie-raskin-meatless-meals-federal-facilities
Data shows plant-based proteins in Netherlands now cheaper than meat
On July 27, totallyveganbuzz reported of new figures coming out of the Netherlands showing meat has become 21% more expensive, and plant-based alternatives becoming cheaper.
Excerpts from the story:
“Commissioned by ProVeg Netherlands, supermarket researcher Questionmark compiled price data for both animal products and plant-based alt meats and mapped their differences in two separate months.
“The findings showed that inflation and high raw material prices have caused meat prices to shoot up in comparison with plant-based substitutes.
“The researchers only compared the cheapest animal meat products with the cheapest associated meat substitutes in three categories (burgers, minced meat and chicken pieces) at six largest supermarkets (AH, Jumbo, Dirk, Aldi, Lidl, Plus). A total of 36 different products were compared.
“They found that prices of alt meats in June compared to February were significantly different. In February, vegan burgers were on average 56 cents per kilo more expensive than animal-based burgers. As of June, they are 78 cents per kilo cheaper. Plant-based chicken pieces were on average €1.16 per kilo more expensive in February. However, five months down the line they are 37 cents per kilo cheaper. Also, plant-based mince was on average 29 cents per kilo more expensive in the early months of 2022, but are retailing at an average of €1.36 per kilo cheaper.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/food/plant-based-meat-in-the-netherlands-now-cheaper-than-meat-new-data-shows/
Vegan brand unveils largest plant-based meat factory in India
On July 28, plantbasednews.org featured BVeg Foods as it revealed the largest integrated plant-based meat production facility in India.
Excerpts from the story:
“The manufacturing plant is a one-stop destination for fellow vegan-friendly brands, alongside BVeg’s own product portfolio. New product development and ingredients sourcing solutions are available to external partners. Private label packaging and high-capacity manufacturing capabilities are also possible.
“BVeg constructed the facility to overcome India’s lack of manufacturing capacity, which the brand has previously identified as a serious bottleneck to sector progress.
“India is a significant driver of the vegan food market. Traditionally home to a large number of vegetarians, in 2019 an Ipsos survey revealed that 63% of the population would negate meat for plant-based alternatives. BVeg was founded in the same year, to cater to the majority’s preferences. It can currently produce 4,000 metric tons of plant-based meat a year. This figure will rise to 12,000 metric tons.
“The domestic startup wants to innovate through its strategic partnerships. Earlier this year, BVeg announced it is working with Austrian equipment supplier Bühler, with the latter supplying high moisture extrusion technology for the new facility. This will allow BVeg to make vegan meat that realistically imitates whole muscle animal protein.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/alternative-protein/indias-largest-plant-based-meat-facility-opens/
Vegan wines sales up 51%
On July 28, plantbasednews.org reported that Virgin Wines revealed its vegan sales had increased from just over 1.1 million to more than 1.7 million bottles between 2019 and 2021.
Excerpts from the story:
“The 51% growth comes as Virgin Wines added a further 100 varieties of cruelty-free wine in 2020, bringing its tally to more than 400.
“Looking to understand its consumers’ preferences, the brand carried out a survey in the same year. Collated data revealed that 36% of its customers actively sought out vegan options. In 2019, Harpers estimated the vegan wine market to have reached a value of £1.5 billion, with scope to grow further. And retailers appear to be listening.
“Grapes are one component of wine, but filtration processes allow non-vegan elements to enter the process. Common wine fining agents include casein, gelatin, isinglass, and egg whites. They remove bad flavors and smells from finished drinks. For example, casein, the protein found in cow’s milk, helps to reduce bitterness, as does gelatin. Isinglass, derived from fish swim bladders, helps to clarify wine.
“None are considered essential, as vegan alternatives exist, including pea gelatine and silica clay. Many organic wine producers chose to negate the fining process altogether, making plenty of varieties accidentally suitable for plant-based eaters.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/vegan-wine-sales-increase/
Climate change killing 20 times more elephants in Kenya than poachers
On July 29, totallyveganbuzz.com reported Kenya having recorded 179 elephant deaths due to the ongoing drought in the last eight months alone.
Excerpts from the story:
“Climate change has become a bigger threat to elephant lives than poaching, according to Kenya’s Wildlife and Tourism ministry. Kenya’s droughts have been so devastating that Tsavo National Park—one of the largest in the world—has recorded the death of 179 elephants in the last eight months alone.
“Meanwhile, poaching has killed less than 10 animals during the same timeframe.
“The region has been experiencing four consecutive seasons of poor rains, which has caused rivers and water pans to run dry and grasslands have shriveled as well. According to the United Nations, the Horn of Africa is experiencing the worst drought in 40 years, which has impacted some 15 million people across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Moreover, 3 million livestock have died as many areas face a severe shortage of food and water.
“In order to address climate change threats on wildlife, the Kenyan government has developed the National Wildlife Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2022-2032, which is based on building resilient ecosystems and establishing a framework that outlines actions for ensuring coordination, effective implementation and sustainability of wildlife conservation in the country. Furthermore, the program aims to educate and engage the public in recognizing the value of wildlife and embracing their role in its conservation.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/environment/climate-change-is-killing-more-elephants-kenya-poachers/
Plant-based guide to mental health
On July 29, plantbasednews.org reported about new studies on serotonin and vitamin B6, and on other nutrients that may affect mood.
Excerpts from the story:
“A balanced diet is vital for both physical and mental health. Ensuring that you eat a wide range of essential nutrients can help to prevent inflammation and support a healthy gut-brain axis. We need essential nutrients to synthesize neurotransmitters, prevent oxidative stress, and regulate circadian rhythms. A healthy diet can help prevent depression and cognitive decline and support sleep and stress.
“Tryptophan is an essential amino acid found in protein foods. The body converts tryptophan to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, and pain. People eating a plant-based diet can obtain it from the following foods: Tofu and soy; seeds such as sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin; nuts and peanuts; oats; bread; bananas.
“Research indicates that B vitamins are essential for good mental health and may benefit people who are stressed. B vitamins play crucial roles in serotonin and dopamine synthesis. Additionally, B vitamins such as B12 and folate help to prevent an amino acid called homocysteine from becoming too high. Evidence suggests elevated homocysteine may contribute to depression and other psychiatric conditions by damaging brain neurons and causing cell death. It is also a risk factor for heart disease.
“People eating a plant-based diet can consume B vitamins in foods such as: “Whole grains; beans and lentils; green leafy vegetables; fruit; nuts and seeds. Experts such as The Vegan Society recommend that vegans take a B12 supplement of at least 10mcg daily or at least 2000mcg weekly.” (Louisa Richards, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/your-health/health-wellbeing/nutrients-improve-mood-plant-based-guide-mental-health/