Here’s what’s been happening for the vegan and plant-based advocacies around the world last September. 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) LinkedIn HQ in California serves vegan foie gras
On September 1, vegnews.com featured The Better Meat Co’s vegan foie gras—made using using microbial fermentation—and employees at LinkedIn’s California headquarters were among the first to try it.
Excerpts from the story:
“Animal-derived foie gras—or the inflamed liver of a duck or goose—has not been served on restaurant menus in California for years. This week, LinkedIn HQ in Sunnyvale, CA confidently put foie gras on its menu with one caveat: this foie gras is made without any animal products by Sacramento company The Better Meat Co.
“Animal-derived foie gras is made by force-feeding birds until their livers become inflamed, a cruel practice that many animal-rights advocates and consumers want to see banned. In 2012, California banned the production of the cruelly begotten liver and prohibited restaurants from selling or giving it away. However, the law was overturned in 2015 on the grounds that regulating food ingredients is a federal matter under the Poultry Products Inspection Act. In 2017, judges in the state’s 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals voted unanimously to reinstate the ban.
“The Better Meat Co’s version does not involve force-feeding birds to fatten their livers. Instead, the product relies on Rhiza, a fast-growing, fungi-derived microbe that is fed a starch such as potatoes—or other upcycled agricultural byproducts—that undergoes microbial fermentation to produce a meat-like base that can be used in a variety of applications, including alternatives to beef, chicken, fish, caviar, and, as it turns out, foie gras.
“The Better Meat Co was founded by vegan visionaries Paul Shapiro and Joanna Bromley in 2018 with the goal of making mycelium meats that outcompete their animal-derived counterparts in every way. Products created using Rhiza mycoprotein are nutritionally superior to animal products and contain more protein than eggs, more iron than beef, and more potassium than bananas but without any cholesterol or saturated fats. The base is also a natural source of B12, a vitamin that is essential for people who do not consume animal products. The mycelium space is also occupied by Quorn, an established British brand that uses a different fungi strain to make its mycoprotein.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/vegan-legal-foie-gras-linkedin
2) The Vegan Society’s VEG 1 supplement has 1st supplier outside of Europe
On September 2, vegansociety.com featured The Christchurch Vegan Society—a not-for-profit community organization in New Zealand’s South Island—being the first to sell the VEG 1 supplement outside of Europe.
Excerpts from the story:
“Established two decades ago, the award-winning organization in Christchurch aims to support vulnerable vegans including new parents, youth, older vegans and prisoners. And, alongside its Vegan Angels service which provides food support to vegans in need, has earned multiple accolades for its dedication to the Christchurch vegan and vegetarian community including when major earthquakes devastated the region in 2012.
“The launch coincides with the publication of The Vegan Society’s first internationally focused insight report, Vegan Product Categories in Australia and New Zealand, created in collaboration with Christchurch Vegan Society, which shows demand for vegan food, fashion and personal health and wellness products is high across the neighboring countries. A survey of 997 participants, either vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian shoppers from New Zealand and Australia, found over half wanted to see more vegan food products available in supermarkets and restaurants while nearly 40% said they purchased vegan healthcare products—such as vitamin supplements—either ‘always’ or ‘often’. A further 16% said they did ‘sometimes’ although ‘wished it could be more’.
“And luckily for them, the growing accessibility to VEG 1 means cruelty-free healthcare is an area in which vegans can rest assured both human and non-human animals are being taken care of. The society’s chewable multivitamin is an affordable and reliable source of seven key nutrients including vitamin B12, D3, iodine, selenium, B2, B6 and folic acid, as well as also being gluten-free, yeast-free, wheat-free and lactose-free.
“A spokesperson for the Christchurch Vegan Society said: ‘We are motivated to help people go and stay vegan long term. We believe that VEG 1 helps people do this by providing a safety net and reliable nutritional support, for example, with the daily tablet covering B12 needs. New Zealand soils are also deficient in iodine and selenium so reliable vegan sources of these nutrients are really important.” (vegansociety.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/news/veg-1-lands-first-stockist-outside-europe
3) NFL star Justin Fields feels ‘lighter and faster’ since going vegan
On September 2, totallyveganbuzz.com featured National Football League (NFL) star quarterback Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears describing his improved athletic performance and muscle recovery since being vegan for over two years.
Excerpts from the story:
“Fields, who is in his second year as a quarterback, first ditched animal products in May 2020. According to Insider, which recently spoke to the athlete about his career so far, Fields switched to a plant-based diet during his final year at Ohio following a 28-day detox with his family.
“Experiencing huge differences within just a few weeks of switching to plant-based, he decided he wanted to make this change for the long run. Fields has now become an advocate for the benefits of a plant-based diet and lifestyle and is even up to giving advice to anyone interested in making the change.
‘“I think the biggest change for me is just how much lighter and faster I feel all around. This change was very drastic for me after I did the challenge I did with my family and was ultimately the reason I chose to continue a plant-based diet.’ The other benefit Fields reaped after going plant-based is faster recovery time. ‘Being plant-based speeds up the healing process,’ the American said. Furthermore, the athlete, who believes it is his job to invest in his body, had his constipation complaint clear up.
“The athlete shared what he eats in a day. It includes starchy-carb staples to power on his busy schedule, protein rich foods and healthy fats for better heart health and lower inflammation and vegan versions of his favorite foods.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/nfl-quarterback-justin-fields-feels-lighter-and-faster-since-going-vegan/
4) The bitter truth about honey
On September 3, plantbasednews.org wrote about the reason bees make honey, why using honey is unethical, and the many alternatives to honey.
Excerpts from the story:
“Since honey comes from an animal, it is not considered vegan. As The Vegan Society states, ‘honey is made by bees for bees.’ Just like cow’s milk and chicken eggs, the natural production of honey is not intended for human consumption. PETA UK’s director, Elisa Allen, maintains that the honey industry ‘abuses bees for profit.’
“Bees feed on pollen and nectar, but honey is their single source of food during the winter months. And so, they collect nectar from flowering plants to make honey, which is then stored inside the hive for a rainy day (literally). A honeybee will visit up to 1,500 flowers to collect enough nectar to fill their stomach. When returning to the hive, the bee regurgitates and chews the nectar, turning it from complex to simple sugars. A single bee produces just a 12th of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime—and every ounce is ‘fundamental’ to their hive, according to the The Vegan Society. (Notably, it takes the pollination of 2 million flowers—and around 55,000 miles of bee flights—to produce a single pound of honey.)
“Bees pollinate all manners of fruit including apples, cherries, blueberries, and cranberries. Blueberries and cherries are 90% dependent on bees, and almonds require 100% honeybee pollination at bloom time.
“There are lots of natural honey substitutes out there: Maple syrup; agave nectar; rice syrup; barley malt; coconut nectar; date syrup; molasses; sorghum syrup; vegan honey; fruit syrups, and even just raw sugar.” (plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/is-honey-vegan-the-not-so-sweet-truth/
5) For the 1st time, UN Climate Change Conference to feature plant-based advocates
On September 5, plantbasednews.org reported that major UN climate change conference COP27—to be held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November, with nearly 200 countries in attendance—would include areas dedicated to food system change.
Excerpts from the story:
“Amongst various displays at COP27 will be a 130-sqm Food4Climate pavilion. It will be spearheaded by food awareness NGO ProVeg International and supported by 17 other global partners. ProVeg hopes that its pavilion will shine a light on the role of food production, particularly animal agriculture, in the climate crisis.
“Last year’s event drew criticism and accusations of greenwashing from climate campaigners. This was after it was revealed that meat was served to attendees and delegates flew in on private jets. A lack of food system discussions also disappointed many observers of the Glasgow conference.
“To meet the climate targets set out by the Paris Agreement, global warming needs to be limited to 2°C or below. To stay on track, carbon and methane emissions need to be significantly reduced. Research confirms that without addressing the current food system, it will be impossible to meet the 2°C target. This stands even if all fossil fuel emissions are eliminated.
“Global meat and dairy production account for 83% of farmland use and 60% of the agriculture sector’s emissions. However, it contributes just 18% of the world’s calories. Conversely, if everybody shifted to a plant-based diet, land requirements would shrink by 75%, reducing emissions at the same time.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/cop27-plant-based-advocates/
6) Merriam-Webster adds ‘Plant-Based’, ‘Oat Milk’ to dictionary
On September 7, vegnews.com reported about Merriam-Webster adding 370 new terms to its dictionary, including “plant based” and “oat milk.”
Excerpts from the story:
“The 370 new terms were added under the dictionary’s food category, which also includes fall flavor phenomenon pumpkin spice. ‘Names of foods from around the world become familiar to us through menus, recipes, and cooking shows,’ Merriam-Webster stated. ‘But homegrown flavors—particularly one that’s become (in)famously associated with autumn—also give us new words that need to be defined.’
“Merriam-Webster has been publishing physical dictionaries since 1847 and launched its online dictionary in the 1990s. Many terms related to veganism, including the term ‘vegan,’ are part of Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. However, the addition of ‘plant-based’ and ‘oat milk’ show that these terms are now popular enough to gain entry into the linguistic resource.
“For ‘plant-based’—the first-known use of which occurred in 1960, according to the resource— Merriam-Webster offers two definitions. The first is ‘made or derived from plants’ and the dictionary gives ‘plant-based burger’ as an example. The second definition speaks to the idea of ‘plant-based meals’ and defines the term as ‘consisting primarily or entirely of food (such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, oils, and beans) derived from plants.’ According to Merriam-Webster, ‘plant-based’ is part of the top 30% of popular search terms.
“As for ‘oat milk,’ the dictionary went with a straightforward definition: a liquid made from ground oats and water that is usually fortified (as with calcium and vitamins) and used as a milk substitute. The first known usage of ‘oat milk’ dates back to 1980, according to the dictionary, and it ranks among the top 34% of terms searched.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/merriam-webster-plant-based-oat-milk
7) India’s biggest ticketing platform will no longer support animal circuses
On September 7, plantbasednews.org reported that BookMyShow, the biggest ticketing portal in India, has pledged to no longer sell tickets to circuses that feature animals.
Excerpts from the story:
“The move follows consistent campaigning from PETA India. Alongside social media posts, the animal rights organization placed a billboard outside the company’s corporate offices in Mumbai asking it to stop supporting circuses that use animals for entertainment.
“PETA notes that BookMyShow confirmed verbally that it will now introduce a new policy against the use of circus animals.
“In 2018, rules were drafted in India that would prohibit the use of circus animals. But the ban is still pending, reports The Hindu. In January, 100 vets across the country petitioned Parshottam Rupala, an Indian politician who serves as minister of fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, appealing for the ban to go ahead.
“BookMyShow used to sell tickets to Rambo Circus and similar circuses, but not anymore. Poorva Joshipura, PETA India’s director, said in a statement that PETA ‘commends’ the platform for its ‘commitment to animal welfare.’” (Charlotte Pointing, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/biggest-ticketing-platform-india-no-animal-circuses/
8) Dutch city bans meat ads to curb climate change
On September 8, vegnews.com reported that the Dutch city of Haarlem would be banning meat advertising in public spaces in an effort to reduce consumption because of its impact on climate change.
Excerpts from the story:
“Haarlem will become the first in the world to ban advertisements for meat in public spaces. Beginning in 2024, advertisements for meat will be prohibited on buses, shelters, or screens in Haarlem’s public spaces. The move was approved by the city council and made in an effort to reduce the consumption of meat because of its impact on climate change.
“Haarlem, a city of approximately 160,000 citizens located outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands, introduced the ban as part of the city’s policy on environmentally conscious advertising. The legislation also includes a ban on advertisements for other products that negatively affect the climate, including airlines, gas-powered cars, and any other companies that rely on fossil fuels. Other Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, have already moved to ban advertising for similar activities due to their impact on the environment.
“Haarlem GroenLinks (the green political party) councilor Ziggy Klazes, who drafted the motion, points out that meat is just as harmful to the environment as fossil fuels, and that governments can’t tell citizens to reduce their impact on the environment and at the same time encourage them to buy products that are part of the cause. ‘If this is a signal to see what we can do to reduce the factory farms, then I am very happy,’ Klazes told Haarlem105 radio in an interview.
“Ever since the new policy on meat advertising was introduced, meat industry advocates have complained that the ban restricts freedom of expression and patronizes citizens. However, Klazes says the effect on people’s food choices could have a significant impact on the climate crisis, just like bans on cigarette advertising on people’s health. ‘Consider, for example, the tobacco and drink advertisements that have been banned for years, so it is possible,’ Klazes said. ‘You cannot exclude companies from advertising, but you can exclude product groups.’” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/dutch-meat-advertising-ban-climate-change
9) 1.4M Europeans call for end to animal testing for cosmetics
On September 8, plantbasednews.org reported that over 1.4 million European Union citizens had petitioned for an end to animal testing in the cosmetics sector.
Excerpts from the story:
“They signed the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) to end animal testing, a campaign spearheaded by animal rights organizations Cruelty-Free Europe, PETA, Eurogroup for Animals, and the European Coalition to End Animal Testing. The initiative launched in August 2021 and officially closed for signatory support on August 31, 2022.
“It was set up in response to claims that the EU ban on cosmetics tests has been breached. This is because regulations, like the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), require certain animal tests on new chemicals. Some of these are used in cosmetics, to determine worker safety. The ECI wants to see EU policymakers halt REACH’s ability to undermine a full ban on animal tests. This is thought to be something that the public also wants to see.
“The EU has made gradual progress since the first testing ban in 2004. This prevented products from being brought to market that had been tested in their finished guise. From here, a ban on testing ingredients was initiated in 2009. However, exceptions were granted for potentially carcinogenic and toxic ingredients. This remained until 2013 when such exemptions were removed.
“Reaching more than 1 million signatures, the ECI could now have enough momentum to push through radical change. It is hoped that the European Commission and European Parliament will both act to implement a blanket ban on cosmetic animal testing.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/cosmetics-animal-testing-ban/
10) Biden positioning US to become leader in alternative food sources
On September 13, vegnews.com reported that US President Joe Biden would be implementing an initiative to reposition the country as a leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing as it applies to a variety of industries, including “cultivating alternative food sources.”
Excerpts from the story:
“US President Joe Biden signed an executive order this week to explore a new initiative that aims to make the United States a leader in the biotechnology space, including in the food sector as it applies to new technologies such as cellular agriculture.
“This technology has the potential to transform the way animal products are produced by allowing meat manufacturers to produce vast quantities of meat using only a few animal cells—as opposed to the current traditional, resource-intensive approach of having to raise millions of animals annually to slaughter them for meat.
“In addition to cellular agriculture, biotechnology can also apply to other sectors in the food industry, including harnessing microbial fermentation to create dairy proteins without exploiting cows and optimizing plant ingredients to deliver superior plant-based alternatives to animal products.
“In the executive order, Biden directed relevant government agents and bodies to submit a report to him within 180 days of the order to further the initiative. As such, the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsak, and his colleagues are responsible for, as the order states, “assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation, including by improving sustainability and land conservation; increasing food quality and nutrition; increasing and protecting agricultural yields; protecting against plant and animal pests and diseases; and cultivating alternative food sources.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/biden-cultivated-meat-food-tech-executive-order
11) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry adopt rescued beagle
On September 14, plantbasednews.org reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—the Duke and Duchess of Sussex—had rehomed one of the 4,000 beagles rescued from an animal testing breeding facility in Virginia.
Excerpts from the story:
“They chose to welcome a 7-year-old female called Mamma Mia into their family. She was freed from an Envigo site in Cumberland earlier this summer, in what’s thought to be the largest dog rescue effort in US history.
“An after-hours visit to a Beagle Freedom Project rescue center was arranged after Markle reportedly called animal rights lawyer Shannon Keith, who runs the location. It was then that she met Mamma Mia and her eight puppies.
“The duchess did not identify herself on the phone, but stated that she was looking for a family dog and had seen the news about thousands of beagles being released from the Envigo facility.
“Speaking to the LA Times, Keith said that the royal couple were not interested in a ‘Christmas puppy,’ and wanted to help an older dog instead. This, she said, is why they chose Mamma Mia and not one of her pups. Markle previously welcomed a rescue beagle called Guy into her life in 2015. Consequently, one of her spokespeople stated that the Envigo story touched her deeply and made her want to help another.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/celebrities/meghan-markle-prince-harry-rescue-beagle/
12) BMW to offer leather interiors with vegan options starting 2023
On September 14, plantbasednews.org reported that the BMW Group—which aims to be carbon neutral by 2050—would launch its first-ever vehicles with fully vegan interiors in 2023.
Excerpts from the story:
“Both BMW and MINI models are set to benefit from the switch. It comes about as a result of the development of suitable plant-based leather alternatives. The company first experimented with animal-free upholstery in 2020. Cactus and fully bio-based (plastic-free, biodegradable) materials have both since been confirmed as passing rigorous seat testing procedures. This makes them suitable for full car fit-outs.
“In addition to seats and armrests, traditionally more difficult trim pieces will now also be finished in animal-free materials. These will include steering wheels and gear stick gaiters, both of which need to be able to withstand excessive wear. In a press statement, BMW said that the move will serve ‘the demand for vegan and leather-free interiors, which is set to increase further in the near future, especially in the US, China, and Europe.’
“BMW claims that the new vegan materials will reduce CO2 emissions in the vehicle value chain by around 85%. This is due to a lack of methane being produced when making animal leather alternatives, which are being manufactured by start-ups in receipt of BMW’s support, chiefly Mirum, a bio-based material made using industry by-products, including coconut husk fiber, and boasts around 45% fewer emissions than previously popular petrochemical-based leather alternatives. The group also uses Deserttex, a cactus fiber-polyurethane mix.
“Aside from its direct connections to cattle rearing, which directly contributes to deforestation, excessive water use, and high emissions, leather processing adds extra layers of environmental issues.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/news/economics/bmw-vegan-leather-interiors/
13) Next Level Burger raises $20M for 1,000 vegan restaurants
On September 15, vegnews.com featured Next Level Burger, which just raised $20 million to expand to 1,000 restaurants.
Excerpts from the story:
“When they opened their first location in Bend, Oregon in 2014, Matthew and Cierra de Gruyter, founders of Next Level Burger (NLB), were confident that the future of fast food would be vegan. This week, their vision was bolstered by a $20-million funding round raised from a group of investors, including early stage vegan power couple Alex Payne, formerly of Twitter and Simple Bank, and Nicole Brodeur, who are now minority stakeholders.
“The NLB concept is simple and spotlights organic and plant-based versions of American fast-food favorites, with sustainability as a top priority as well as fair wages and quality ingredients. Now, with $20 million in their pocket to fund their mission of making better fast food, the couple is ready to truly take NLB to the next level. Matt de Gruyter tells VegNews. ‘This raise helps validate our mission, our value set of plant-based ingredients, organics, non-GMO, living wages, and our next step on the way to 1,000 NLBs from coast-to-coast.’
“NLB’s menu is both familiar and indulgent, with simple burger builds (made with a choice of Beyond Burger or housemade vegan meat patties) to satisfy fast-food cravings, and more complex offerings such as The Maverick: a stacked burger filled with onion rings, tempeh bacon, melty vegan cheese, pickles, and sauces. The menu is rounded out with a variety of handspun milkshakes made with a choice of soy or coconut soft serve in flavors such as Cookies N’ Cream, Thicc Mint Cookie, and Blackberry.
“With the new funding, NLB will expand to 28 locations by 2025 with the ultimate goal of opening 1,000 locations in the coming years.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/next-level-burger-20-million
14) Pink, Ricky Gervais expose fur industry during NY Fashion Week
On September 15, plantbasednews.org reported that singer Pink and actor Ricky Gervais were featured in an 8-hour PETA protest at the New York Fashion Week.
Excerpts from the story:
“The animal rights organization sent a vehicle to drive around the Spring Studios location. The vehicle was showing a film called ‘Stolen For Fashion’, which documents the cruelty of the fur industry. The celebrities both feature as the voices of animals who have been skinned for their fur. The film shows the animals addressing people carrying fashion items made from their pelts and asking for them back. On the back of the vehicle was the message: ‘Animals pay the ultimate price for ‘fashion’. Wear vegan.’
“PETA launched its mobile campaign specifically to protest Fendi, which still uses fur and exotic skins in its collections. Fendi put on a show on the opening night of New York Fashion Week. Fendi is owned by LVMH, a fashion conglomerate that is yet to address the ongoing use of fur in its brands’ portfolios. According to Vogue Business, though, the LVMH environment development deputy director Alexandre Capelli ‘recognizes that consumer demand for animal-free alternatives is growing.’
“The graphic video features a computer-generated crocodile, voiced by Pink, and a rabbit, played by Gervais. Both are alive, but missing their skin or fur, with their flesh exposed and blood covering their wounds. When the human actor indignantly claims that she ‘paid a lot of money’ for her designer handbag made from their skin, the animals reply that they have ‘paid a lot more.’
“To support the film and drive the message that fur has no place in fashion, PETA also surrounded the venue with posters depicting empty catwalks and messages linking fur production to animal welfare concerns and environmental issues. PETA US executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement, ‘PETA is calling on New York Fashion Week to showcase the vegan fabrics and designs that show respect for animals and the environment.’” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/fashion/new-york-fashion-week-fur-protest/
15) The Maldives fighting climate crisis with coral reefs
On September 16, plantbasednews.org featured The Maldives, the flattest country in the world, and its struggle to literally stay afloat.
Excerpts from the story:
“Those glistening white sandy beaches and clear oceans are both a blessing and a curse. Without them, the Maldives wouldn’t be the tourist destination it is. But with them, it is officially the flattest country in the world. The highest point is 2.4 meters above sea level, with the average elevation at only 1.5 meters (for comparison, the UK average is 162m). The result of this is that, by 2050, 80% of its islands could become uninhabitable at current global warming rates. Despite only being responsible for around 0.003% of global emissions, the island is set to be adversely affected by the climate crisis.
“Currently, more than 90% of the islands in the Maldives have severe erosion, and 97% of the country no longer has fresh groundwater (the water found beneath the Earth’s surface). The bad news continues when it comes to the very thing the Maldives’ famous ring-shaped islands (called “atolls”) are made of – coral. Aside from its physical beauty, coral plays a huge role not only in luring selfie-seekers (coral reefs are worth in excess of $35 billion to tourism worldwide), but in providing both an ecosystem and a natural sea defense to the islands. In 2016, the Maldives lost its front line of defense when the devastating bleaching event affected about 60% of the coral reefs. Many of these haven’t recovered since.
“One of the country’s leading eco-resorts, Gili Lankanfushi, was the first resort in the Maldives to develop a specific coral reef recovery technique. The project has been thriving since it commenced in 2014.
“The method is simple, but effective. Coral fragments are taken from vulnerable and loose corals found on the reef, and are carefully inserted onto ropes (lines). The lines are then fixed to frames five meters below the surface of the resort’s lagoon. These small coral fragments are monitored, away from the reach of predators and waves, for around three years before being transplanted onto degraded reef areas. With every rope housing 20 to 50 small living coral fragments, the corals in the surrounding area grow stronger and bigger over time. During their time on the lines, the fragments also provide a nursery for a huge array of baby reef fish and crustaceans, and when they are eventually transplanted, they improve the health of the reef itself.” (James Stewart, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/opinion/opinion-piece/how-maldives-fighting-climate-crisis-coral-reefs/
16) New study suggests plant-based diet lowers fatal prostate cancer risk by 19%
On September 16, plantbasednews.org reported on a new study suggesting that embracing a plant-based diet can reduce the likelihood of being diagnosed with life-ending prostate cancer.
Excerpts from the story:
“The research was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It concludes that consuming vegan food could lower the risk of developing prostate cancer overall.
“The study points to both the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory elements of fruits and vegetables as key. Not only to reducing prostate cancer risk, but preventing prostate enlargement as well. The latter is a benign condition that can impact the urinary tract of sufferers.
“In addition to having less chance of being diagnosed, those eating a plant-based diet were shown to have a 19% lower risk of dying from the condition, if found to have it.
“The study is titled ‘Association of plant-based diet index with prostate cancer risk’. Researchers followed 47,239 men over a period of 28 years. During this time, 6,655 were diagnosed with prostate cancer. This broke down to 515 advanced cases, 956 lethal diagnoses, and 806 deaths. Patients who ate higher levels of plant-based foods were found to be significantly less at risk of a serious case. Though fewer than 1% of participants followed a strict vegan diet. Previously, lower levels of prostate-specific antigens (PSA) have been detected in plant-based eaters. High PSA levels have been identified as a marker of potential prostate cancer diagnosis. It’s recommended that anyone over 45 with a prostate should regularly get their PSA levels checked.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health/plant-based-diet-fatal-prostate-cancer-study/
17) 55% of New Zealanders, Aussies want restaurants to offer more vegan food
On September 20, plantbasednews.org revealed that a new report has found that a number of Australasian citizens want more vegan options in restaurants and supermarkets.
Excerpts from the story:
“The Vegan Society and The Christchurch Vegan Society surveyed 1,000 plant-based shoppers in Australia and New Zealand to gain insight into their current and future purchasing habits. Of those asked, 55% wanted to see more vegan food and drink options added to restaurant menus. Meanwhile, 52.7% were keen to see more products on supermarket shelves.
“The report concludes that most consumers looking for more vegan options are motivated by environmental concerns, personal health concerns, and animal welfare.
“Both Australia and New Zealand have significant meat production and consumption rates. Australia is one of the largest consumers of meat, registering approximately 110 kg per person, per year. Conversely, New Zealand comes in at around 73.6 kg per capita, amid claims that meat consumption has peaked and that a plant-based uprising is threatening animal agriculture.
“Survey respondents revealed that times are changing, with 41.8% claiming to purchase vegan food in supermarkets either ‘every time’ (15.6%) or ‘often’ (26.2%). As an indicator that this could increase, 18.8% stated that they ‘sometimes’ do, but expressed a desire to make these purchases more frequent.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/australia-new-zealand-increased-vegan-demand/
18) 800 experts urge stop to animal testing
On September 20, vegnews.com reported that over 800 experts have said animal testing in health studies is unnecessary, and are calling on medical journal Nutrients to stop publishing such studies that violate its own ethical guidelines.
Excerpts from the story:
“More than 800 physicians, scientists, and health professionals have joined nonprofit organization Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) to call on the medical journal Nutrients to stop publishing animal studies that violate the publication’s own ethical guidelines.
“Nutrients’ guidelines for authors explicitly require the ‘replacement of animals by alternatives wherever possible.’ Yet, in a letter sent to the journal’s editors in chief, the group points out a number of published studies in which small animals were experimented on even though alternatives were readily available. The letter notes that by publishing these articles, Nutrients is showing young researchers that it’s okay to violate ethical mandates and that the journal will publish their studies anyway.
“In addition to writing Nutrients, the PCRM group also sent a separate letter to Medline, the National Library of Medicine’s bibliographic database, asking it to limit or suspend Nutrients’ participation in the database until the problem is rectified.
“PCRM is a medical community made up of 17,000 physicians and 175,000 members working with government and industry to replace the use of animal tests with modern methods. In addition to lobbying, publishing research, training scientists, and attending and conducting scientific meetings, the group also hosts physician-led protests in an effort to make positive change within the medical community.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/PCRM-end-animal-testing-health-studies
19) Pakistan schools to teach ‘Compassion’ in animal welfare classes
On September 21, plantbasednews.org reported that schools in Pakistan would soon be teaching classes on “compassion” and a “humane approach” to animal welfare.
Excerpts from the story:
“Salman Sufi, the Prime Minister’s aide on Strategic Reforms, announced the plans on Twitter. He confirmed that the new classes would be introduced in the Islamabad Capital Territory, which is located in the north of the country. Sufi said that a ‘special course’ on animal welfare is being prepared for schools in the region. He confirmed that the course will start rolling out in schools in October.
“He added that children will be introduced to ‘compassion and humane approach towards animals so they can be better citizens.’ The government has been in touch with international organizations and local animal activists to create the course.
“Speaking to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, Sufi said that the course will be taught in both private and state schools in the area. It will be taught to children in fifth grade and above, starting when they are around 9 years old. As the students move up grades, the course will develop more depth. Elements of the course will include teaching children about keeping pets, discussing why it’s wrong to hurt stray animals, and awareness of the consequences of keeping wild animals.
“The country does have the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1890). This was introduced to protect animals from unnecessary suffering. The Act has been described as ‘outdated,’ however.” (Polly Foreman, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/schools-pakistan-teach-classes-animal-welfare/
20) Building a plant-based food system, from policy to implementation
On September 22, vegnews.com featured the newly launched Plant Based Foods Institute, a sister organization to the Plant Based Foods Association, which is on a mission to transform the global food system.
Excerpts from the story:
“Imagine a world where plants, not animals, are the foundation of a resilient, sustainable food system that benefits not only humans, but animals and the planet as well. There’s a new nonprofit joining the charge in the fight to remove animals from the global food system. The recently launched Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI) will work alongside industry leaders and food systems experts to advance the transition toward a plant-based food system both domestically and internationally.
“Launched by the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), a trade group of more than 300 plant-based food companies, PBFI will work in tandem with PBFA to achieve their common goals of creating a kinder, more accessible plant-based food system. While PBFA will continue to focus on expanding the retail footprint of plant-based products and work with partners on effective marketing to help drive consumer purchasing, PBFI will focus on the larger picture: transitioning to a plant-based food system via policy change, domestic sourcing initiatives, market research, and international networks.
“Currently, PBFI is focusing its policy efforts on two key initiatives: the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the 2023 Farm Bill. Vegan health organizations, such as Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, have long called for the US government to update its dietary guidelines, specifically demanding for the removal of dairy due to the prevalence of lactose intolerance among people of color and the health implications of long-term dairy consumption such as higher risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer.
“PBFI joins the call for updating the upcoming 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The institute, Rachel Dreskin, PBFA CEO shares, has submitted formal comments urging for the guidelines to adopt a lens of sustainability—and thus implement a larger focus on plant-based diets and eating patterns due to the lower environmental impact of vegan foods compared to their animal-based counterparts.” (Jocelyn Martinez, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/plant-based-food-system-policy-change-sustainable-agriculture
21) Gut bacteria love plant protein, new study reveals
On September 23, vegnews.com reported about a new study revealing that plant proteins keep our gut bacteria happy, helping researchers better understand how to manage good gut health.
Excerpts from the story:
“A specific carbohydrate found attached to plant proteins is a food source for the bacteria in our gut, new research suggests. While fruit and vegetables are the best source of nutrients for a healthy gut microbiome (the collection of microbes that naturally live inside us), the study has discovered that a species of gut microbes use plant N-glycans—a type of complex carbohydrate found in plant foods—as nutrients.
“Published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University, the study used genomic data to identify specific enzymes produced by gut bacteria to break down the complex carbohydrate structures.
“The major nutrients available to the human colonic microbiota are complex glycans derived from diet. Plant N-glycans are prevalent on proteins produced by plants and thus components of the diet, but the breakdown of these complex molecules by the gut microbiota had not been explored until now.
“A similar study published in scientific journal Foods last year found that plant-based meats have a positive impact on gut health. The randomized, real-world study found that consumers who eat just five plant-based meals per week instead of meat-centric dishes experience an increase in the levels of a group of bacteria that produce butyrate, a fatty acid that promotes good digestive health and lessens inflammation to protect against disease.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/gut-bacteria-plant-protein-study
22) Thailand turns into vegan wonderland
On September 26, vegnews.com featured Thailand’s 9-day vegetarian festival.
Excerpts from the story:
“Thailand kicked off its annual 9-day Vegetarian Festival and businesses around the country, including Starbucks and 7-Eleven, offered exciting vegan options to help celebrate. Called ‘Tesagan Gin Je,’ the annual Chinese festival is dedicated to celebrating the 9 emperor gods. During the period, participants temporarily adopt an entirely plant-based diet—which also excludes garlic and onions—as a cleansing ritual.
“Every year, the Taoist celebration—which falls on the first day of the 9th lunar month—is supported by local businesses, shopping malls, and temporary food stalls which display bright yellow flags with red writing to denote vegan offerings, such as noodles, curries, snacks, and more, that align with the dietary rules of the celebration.
“In addition to consuming vegan food, the festival is celebrated by wearing white and practicing mindfulness. Bangkok and Phuket are seen as the epicenters of this festival, but areas with Chinese populations in Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam hold celebrations, as well.
“The Asia Pacific region (APAC) is home to more than 4 billion people and outside of the annual vegetarian festival, consumers are increasingly interested in plant-based food. In China and Thailand, a 2020 market research study commissioned by ingredient company DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences predicted that demand for meat alternatives would increase by 200% by 2025. This would drive the growth of the plant-based meat market by 25% during the forecast period to $1.7 billion.” (Anna Starostinetskaya, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/thailand-vegetarian-festival-starbucks-7-eleven
23) Vegan Society campaign urges that ‘one little switch’
On September 26, vegansociety.com announced that The Vegan Society has, on World Environmental Health Day, relaunched its “Plate Up for the Planet” campaign to help more people take the first steps on their vegan journey, beginning with just one little switch.
Excerpts from the story:
“A major independent study by Oxford University found that if everybody followed a plant-based diet, food-related climate emissions would fall by 70%. The study’s lead author concluded: ‘Avoiding meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth’, since animal farming provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of farmland. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has also presented data on the environmental impacts of diets, further demonstrating a vegan diet as the lowest impact across a range of environmental measures.
“A survey launched, as part of the campaign, found around one in four non-vegan participants, who had previously indicated they would be open to trying a plant-based diet in the future, said they did not know ‘where to start’.
“The society’s ‘Plate Up for the Planet’ campaign aims to help people take the first steps on their vegan journey by switching to animal product alternatives and demonstrate that is easier than people may think.
“To help those who want to reduce their impact on the environment, ‘One Little Switch’ aims to encourage people make that first important step on their vegan journey by providing recipes and a free eBook to help inspire people along the way. The Vegan Society’s campaigns manager Hannah Coyne, said, ‘We want to show that every journey begins with a single step – whether it’s swapping dairy milk for a plant alternative or using lentils in place of minced meat.’” (vegansociety.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/vegan-society-relaunches-environmental-campaign
24) Plant-based nutrition textbook to educate health professionals
On September 27, plantbasednews.org featured a new evidence-based textbook, aimed at health professionals, that advocates for the role of plant-based nutrition in overall health, as well as the treatment and prevention of chronic disease. The textbook is also available as an ebook.
Excerpts from the story:
“Aimed at students and qualified health professionals, ‘Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice’ will bridge a knowledge gap, identified by co-editor Dr. Shireen Kassam, a university lecturer, hematologist, and founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals.
“The book is an evidence-based reference resource that offers advice regarding the use, benefits, and ‘practical applications’ of integrating plant-based diets into clinical practice. It also focuses on the increasing popularity of lifestyle medicine. The book presents fellow physicians with an opportunity to start the plant-based diet conversation earlier in a care program. This could potentially prevent worsening health conditions.
“Kassam, a consultant hematologist at King’s College Hospital in London, adopted a plant-based diet in 2013. The decision positively impacted her health, leading to a personal investigation into the science underpinning the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. From here, she went on to discover the benefits of plant-based nutrition as a proactive lifestyle intervention. Kassam is now a certified lifestyle physician, alongside her hematology role. This experience is mirrored by her sister and co-editor Dr. Zahra Kassam, an oncologist and lifestyle physician. The two were also joined by a third co-editor, Lisa Simon, a registered dietitian.
“Addressing the current food system, Kassam’s book connects the climate crisis to rising health issues in the global population. It also offers quantifiable research in support of plant-based diets as the solution to both.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/health/plant-based-nutrition-textbook-launches/
25) With Quorn’s help, half marathon event to host its 1st plant-based food village
On September 27 plantbasednews.org featured the upcoming Royal Parks Half Marathon event that would debut its first-ever plant-based food village as part of the wider Food & Fitness Festival.
Excerpts from the story:
“Sponsored by mycoprotein giant Quorn, the village will present a collection of food stalls offering vegan meals and sweet treats. All will refuel runners and encourage sustainable food choices from all attendees.
“Event organizers have made efforts to increase the eco-credentials of the race in recent years. Notably, they instigated a ban on single-use plastic in 2019 and asked runners to refill bottles at water stations. Alongside, a partnership with Trees Not Tees allows runners to plant a tree in lieu of a finisher’s shirt.
“The race takes 16,000 runners on a 13.1-mile route through four of London’s eight Royal Parks: Hyde, Green, St James’s, and Kensington Gardens. The new Plant-Based Food Village will be located in the start and finish location: Hyde Park.
“Royal Parks Half has officially declared Quorn as its ‘Sustainable Protein Partner.’ This is owing to its carbon footprint, which is significantly lower than most animal proteins. Quorn claims that its signature mycoprotein generates 0.7 kg of CO2 equivalent, per kilogram of the finished product. This is compared to UK beef mince coming in at 32 kg of CO2 equivalent and pork creating 11 kg. Chicken creates five kilograms of carbon emissions. However, choosing Quorn doesn’t just reduce carbon emissions. A recent study suggests that swapping out conventional meat for Quorn’s mycoprotein could halve deforestation and cut methane emissions by 11%.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/events/quorn-sponsors-royal-parks-half-marathon/
26) 5 US cities named most vegan-friendly
On September 27, vegnews.com featured a new report that ranked America’s 100 largest cities for their vegan-friendliness, and the five that ranked best for vegan restaurant options.
Excerpts from the story:
“Among the 100 largest cities in the United States, Scottsdale, AZ ranks best for its percentage of vegan options at restaurants, according to a new report by financial website WalletHub. Based on information provided by the travel website TripAdvisor, approximately 16% of restaurants in Scottsdale offer vegan options. Comparatively, the city with the lowest percentage of vegan restaurant options is North Las Vegas, NV, which had 20 times fewer offerings at 0.83%.
“The cities that fill out the top five list of cities with the highest percentage of vegan restaurant options are St. Petersburg, FL (at nearly 14%); Washington, DC (13%); New Orleans, LA (12%); and New York, NY (12%).
“When it comes to vegetarian options, the report notes that Plano, TX has the highest share of restaurants serving vegetarian options (nearly 64%), which is 21.6 times higher than in Laredo, TX, the city with the lowest at just about 3%.
“WalletHub also ranked the best cities overall for vegans and vegetarians, and, not surprisingly, Portland, OR came in first. Portland ranked well for its organic farms, community gardens, and restaurant options, but the study found it has higher grocery costs for vegans and vegetarians than most other cities. The cities that follow Portland for the top scores include Orlando, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; and Austin, TX.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/5-cities-vegan-food-america-wallethub
27) Jane Goodall warns, climate change at ‘point of no return’
On September 28, totallyveganbuzz.com reported that world-renowned ethologist Dr Jane Goodall has warned that the “Earth’s climate is changing so quickly that humanity is running out of chances to fix it.”
Excerpts from the story:
“Goodall, best known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, made the comment on the sidelines of a celebration of her $1.3-million Templeton Prize. The annual award is in recognition for an individual whose work harnesses science to explore the questions facing humanity.
‘“We are literally approaching a point of no return,’ the 88-year-old environmentalist told AFP in Los Angeles. ‘Look around the world at what’s happening with climate change. It’s terrifying. We are part of the natural world and we depend on healthy ecosystems.’
“Although Goodall acknowledged that there have been some changes for the better over recent decades, she stated that they didn’t go far enough. ‘I don’t pretend to be able to solve the problems that this creates because there are major problems. And yet, if we look at the alternative, which is continuing to destroy the environment, we’re doomed.’
“Goodall is one of the most inspiring primatologists in the world. Her pioneering six-decade study of chimpanzees in Tanzania has not only transformed our understanding of chimpanzees but also redefined our relationship with our animal cousins. Apart from chimpanzees and climate conservation, Goodall has passionately pushed for other causes, including veganism and alternatives to traditional animal meat.” (Mohsina Dodhiya, totallyveganbuzz.com)
Read the full story here: https://www.totallyveganbuzz.com/celebrity/climate-change-point-of-no-return-jane-goodall/
28) New survey finds meat consumption falling across Western Europe
On September 28, plantbasednews.org reported about a new survey that revealed consumers in Western Europe, with its traditionally meat-centric countries, are increasingly shifting away from conventional meat to plant-based alternatives.
Excerpts from the story:
“OpinionWay, the French research company that conducted the investigation on behalf of the Good Food Institute (GFI), interviewed more than 4,000 adults across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Participants offered insights into their meat intake, shopping habits and motivations, and opinions about plant-based meat substitutes. Answers revealed that more than 50% (57% mean average) had reduced their meat consumption in the last five years. Going further, an average of 23% of respondents, per country, had stopped eating meat entirely.
“Environmental concerns, animal welfare, and health were the four most frequently cited reasons for reducing meat intake. Germany prioritized animal wellbeing, with 38% of its participants claiming this as their driving motivation to become more plant-based. This tied in neatly with the recent findings that 41% of German people also eat vegan alternatives every month.
“Italy and Spain both put personal health at the top of their list of reasons for eating less meat. Again, this tallies with their consumption of vegan meat alternatives, with 50% of Italian consumers and 47% of Spanish eaters all reaching for plant protein every month. French participants are most concerned with the rising cost of animal meat, with 39% stating this as the main cause of their reduced intake. Bucking the trend for plant-based meat correlation, only one in four (27%) French consumers enjoy vegan substitutes each month.
“Every country cited environmental worries as their second reason for ditching meat. An average of 31.5% of consumers made reference to it.” (Amy Buxton, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/meat-consumption-falls-europe/
29) New Zealand officially banning live animal exports
On September 29, plantbasednews.org reported that New Zealand had officially announced plans to ban live animal exports by April 30, 2023. Last year, 134,722 cattle were exported out of New Zealand.
Excerpts from the story:
“The decision comes two years after 41 crew members and 6,000 cattle died when a storm sank an export ship. Two New Zealanders were killed in the tragedy, which led to an increase in support to ban live exports in the country.
“Damien O’Connor, the country’s environment minister, said that the new law would protect New Zealand’s reputation as the world becomes increasingly more conscious of animal welfare.
He notes that due to the fact New Zealand is relatively far from the countries it exports to, animals can suffer even more than usual on these journeys. ‘New Zealand’s remoteness means animals are at sea for extended periods, heightening their susceptibility to heat stress and other welfare-associated risks.’
“Live exports are hugely controversial due to animal welfare concerns. The vessels are often overcrowded, and the animals suffer from disease, exhaustion, and dehydration. Millions of animals, including pigs, cows, and sheep are exported each year around the world. Compassion In World Farming describes live exports as ‘painful, stressful and completely unacceptable.’
“Many animals have also been killed in accidents. In 2020, 14,000 sheep were killed after a ship capsized. Earlier this year, around 15,000 drowned after another sunk near Sudan.” (Polly Foreman, plantbasednews.org)
Read the full story here: https://plantbasednews.org/culture/law-and-politics/new-zealand-banning-live-animal-exports/
30) Heinz encourages eating ‘Tomato Blood’ ketchup for Halloween instead of animals
On September 30, vegnews.com featured condiment brand Heinz for its launch of a vegan “Tomato Blood Ketchup” wrapped in a spooky Halloween-themed limited edition bottle, with a clever public service announcement (PSA) encouraging everyone to go vegetarian.
Excerpts from the story:
“For its ‘Vegetarian Vampire Recruitment Film,’ Heinz enlists a ‘vegetarian vampire influencer’ who gave up the traditional vampire lifestyle of eating the blood of humans to instead eat Heinz Tomato Blood Ketchup. Through a playful PSA, Toby the vegetarian vampire is on a mission to convert as many of his fellow vampires to enjoy Tomato Blood and spare the necks of living beings.
‘“I drink Heinz Tomato Blood instead of human blood, which is something I encourage all vampires to consider. There’s a lot of misconceptions around being a veggie vamp,’ Toby says in the PSA as he shoos away a plate of asparagus. ‘I do have to eat, like, hundreds of bottles of Tomato Blood a week.’
“While the PSA is directly about vampires choosing to abstain from harming humans, the underlying message seems to be that animals should be considered friends, not food. ‘A few hundred years ago, I was about to feast on this human, and then we started talking,’ Toby says. ‘Humans have made some really interesting things: blackout curtains, sunscreen, tomato blood. To my fellow vampires, I say, when you think of humans more as friends it’s amazing what they can show you.’
“Ultimately, Heinz is encouraging ketchup lovers everywhere to be like Toby this Halloween season and go vegetarian by indulging in Heinz Tomato Blood instead of humans (and animals): ‘The next time you want to eat someone, I hope you’ll reconsider and go vegetarian,’ Toby says.” (Nicole Axworthy, vegnews.com)
Read the full story here: https://vegnews.com/2022/9/heinz-tomato-blood-ketchup-halloween