News
The number of news found: 22.
10/31/2017 STARBUCKS LAUNCHES VEGAN-FRIENDLY ZOMBIE FRAPPUCCINO
Starbucks launched a vegan-friendly, Halloween-themed Zombie Frappuccino last week across locations in the United States and Canada. The spooky Frappuccino features caramel-apple flavors and a ghoulish red-hued zombie mocha drizzle. A barista at Starbucks confirmed to media outlet Bustle that the concoction can easily be made vegan with a simple swap. "We can make it vegan because we have dairy-free milks like coconut milk, almond milk, and soy milk," the vegan barista said, "and all the other products in it are vegan." The coffeehouse giant introduced almond milk in 2015 and has since experimented with using a variety of plant-based milks in its new products—including two forthcoming almond milk-based bottled Frappuccinos. The limited edition Zombie Frappuccino—made vegan using plant-based milk and opting for no whipped cream—is available until October 31. (vegnews.com)
10/30/2017 VEGAN MILK PUTS A DENT IN WESTERN EUROPE'S DAIRY SALES
A new report compiled by market research firm Euromonitor revealed that the dairy sector is the worst performing in terms of sales across Western Europe. While Euromonitor found that general food sales grew across Europe by 12.9 percent from 2012 to 2017, the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of dairy in Western Europe was .27 percent. Euromonitor senior research analyst Leonardo Freitas credited the shift to an increased interest in plant-based milk among people in Western Europe. Freitas explained that consumers are also linking animal-derived milk to digestion issues, which is also having a negative effect on the sale of dairy products. Euromonitor's report is consistent with global data that predicts a sizable spike in the value of the plant-based milk industry—currently estimated to be worth $35 billion by 2024. (vegnews.com)
10/27/2017 NYC MAYOR INSTITUTES MEATLESS MONDAYS AT 15 SCHOOLS
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio instituted Meatless Mondays at 15 NYC schools this week. The mayor held a conference at Brooklyn's first all-vegetarian school, P.S.1, Monday morning to make the announcement, alongside school officials and vegan Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. De Blasio praised Adams for his advocacy of a plant-based diet before announcing the initiative—in which children will be served vegetarian meals for breakfast and lunch once per week starting this spring. De Blasio revealed that both of his children are vegetarian, and Mondays at his residence, Gracie Mansion, will follow the same initiative. Earlier this month, 1,200 New York City public schools—with the help of The Coalition for Healthy School Food—committed to introducing at least one vegan lunch option per day. (vegnews.com)
10/26/2017 F1 WORLD RACING CHAMP CREDITS VEGAN DIET FOR VICTORY
World car racing champion Lewis Hamilton credited his new plant-based diet for his win Sunday at the United States Grand Prix. "I feel the best I've ever felt physically and mentally," Hamilton told media outlet City A.M. "All year I've felt very strong mentally, but I think physically I'm now taking also a big step, and that’s really the decision I made to change my diet. The best decision was obviously moving to this team; the second best was changing my diet." Hamilton has won three of the four races he has participated in since adopting a plant-based diet after watching vegan documentary What The Health this summer and is expected to secure a win at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix. (vegnews.com)
10/25/2017 NEW YORK STATE BANS ELEPHANTS IN CIRCUSES
New York State governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation last week that officially bans elephants from circuses statewide. The Elephant Protection Act will take effect in two years. "The use of elephants in these types of settings is dangerous to their health and potentially abusive," Cuomo said. "The Elephant Protection Act furthers this administration's efforts to fight animal cruelty, and create a stronger, more humane New York." Animal-rights organization The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) campaigned for the ban for several years. In June, New York City council voted 43–6 to ban the use of wild animals in circuses within city limits. (vegnews.com)
10/24/2017 STUDY: YOUNG PEOPLE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A MEAT-FREE WORLD
Multinational communications company Vodafone recently conducted a survey to determine the positive feelings people people have about the future. The group presented 13,000 individuals across 14 countries with 10 "futuristic" situations. One such situation is entitled "protein shift" and describes a world 20 years in the future when meat no longer comes from animals. "We will enjoy a range of healthy and delicious sources of meat-free protein and realistic meat alternatives that don’t come from animals," the survey said. "This will help bring both global carbon emissions and heart disease down to an all-time low." People in the 18–24 age bracket were particularly positive about the future, with 62 percent of respondents indicating they believed the world would be better in 20 years time. (vegnews.com)
10/23/2017 LEONARDO DICAPRIO INVESTS IN VEGAN BRAND BEYOND MEAT
Beyond Meat announced last week that actor Leonardo DiCaprio has made an investment for an undisclosed amount in the vegan brand. Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said, "His investment and role as an advocate reflects a shared vision that meat made directly from plants, like our Beyond Burger, has enormous benefits for human health, the climate, natural resources, and animal welfare." DiCaprio is an environmental advocate who uses his celebrity status to bring awareness to the negative environmental impact of animal agriculture. "Livestock production is a major contributor to carbon emissions," DiCaprio said. "Shifting from animal meat to the plant-based meats developed by Beyond Meat is one of the most powerful measures someone can take to reduce their impact on our climate." Brown revealed that DiCaprio was involved in the initial development of the company's popular Beyond Burger—which is currently available at more than 2,500 grocery stores and restaurants in the U.S. (vegnews.com)
10/20/2017 NATALIE PORTMAN URGES AWARD SHOW ATTENDEES TO GO VEGAN
Vegan actress Natalie Portman delivered a moving speech in acceptance of her Ongoing Commitment Award during the recent 27th annual Environmental Media Association (EMA) award ceremony in Los Angeles. "Factory farming is responsible for most of the air, water, and land pollution—that disproportionately affects our poor communities as well," Portman said. "So, we get to make decisions three times a day, what we do with our planet, and you can make a difference by even once a day or once a week choosing not to eat animals or animal products." The actress also urged attendees to watch the newly released film Eating Animals—an on-screen adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's book by the same name that Portman narrated and produced. (vegnews.com)
10/19/2017 NEW PROGRAM REHABILITATES INMATES WITH VEGAN DIET
Starting in November, Pennsylvania state prisons will begin to monitor the change in behavior of 200 volunteer inmates at each facility as they transition to a plant-based diet. The research program is part of a larger initiative called "The Redemption Project," started by retired State Trooper Matt Harris with the intent of keeping at-risk children from committing crime. The purpose of the plant-based program, Harris said, is to "[see] if the diet changes their behavior in prison, and we think it does." Inmates consuming a plant-based diet will be monitored by health professionals who will determine the participants' glucose and sugar levels through regular blood tests. Prisoners nearing the end of their term will also be trained in job skills including culinary education, which Harris hopes will help keep them from returning to jail after release. (vegnews.com)
10/17/2017 MUSICIAN JASON DERULO ADOPTS VEGAN DIET
Musician Jason Derulo recently adopted a plant-based diet. "Yeah, so I'm vegan now," Derulo told wellness media outlet Men's Health. "I feel lighter. I feel healthier. My eyeballs are super-white." Derulo discussed how his new plant-based diet has been beneficial during his boxing training sessions, a sport that has been his lifelong passion. "You really need to have a bunch of greens and ... things you enjoy as well," Derulo said before dishing that his favorite vegan foods are spinach, mushrooms, vegetable soup, lentils, and jackfruit (for its versatility). Derulo explained that tofu serves as a stand-in for when he "[needs] something that tastes like a chicken nugget or something." Derulo joins a growing number of celebrities and athletes—including NFL player Trent Williams, fellow musician Ne-Yo, and actress Danielle Brooks—in adopting a plant-based diet in recent months. (vegnews.com)
10/16/2017 BELGIAN FOOD PYRAMID PUTS VEGAN FOODS ON TOP
The Flemish Institute for Healthy Living recently reinvented the traditional food pyramid to encourage Belgian citizens to consume more healthful foods. The new pyramid is inverted, with the top (and largest) sector dedicated to foods such as tofu, grains, fruit, and vegetables—a nutritional category the institute urges citizens to consume the most. Butter and steak appear at the bottom of the pyramid, while salami, bacon, and other processed foods are relegated to a circle outside of the pyramid in a red category created to discourage consumption. In regard to animal products, a representative of the institute told local media outlet Flanders Today that "we want to make it clear that we don't need these products," adding, "We don't forbid them, but they should be rather an exception than rule. (vegnews.com)
10/13/2017 GUCCI BANS FUR!
Fashion brand Gucci will ban fur from its clothing lines starting with its spring/summer 2018 collection. Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri announced the news during this week's 2017 Kering Talk at the London College of Fashion. "Being socially responsible is one of Gucci's core values," Bizzarri said, "and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals […]. Gucci is excited to take this next step and hopes it will help inspire innovation and raise awareness, changing the luxury fashion industry for the better." Animal-rights organizations—including The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Italian member of the Fur Free Alliance, Lega Anti Vivisezione (LAV), and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)—have worked for decades to push Gucci to go fur-free. Gucci joins a growing number of fashion brands—including Ralph Lauren, Armani, and Hugo Boss—that have recently removed fur from their clothing lines." Gucci will auction all remaining pieces made with fur and donate proceeds to HSUS and LAV. (vegnews.com)
10/12/2017 MEAT-BASED DIETS DESTROYING 60 PERCENT OF BIODIVERSITY
A new report compiled by conservation organization World Wildlife Fund (WWF) found that meat-based diets are responsible for the loss of 60 percent of global biodiversity. The report, titled "Appetite for Destruction," revealed that many species are soon to be extinct due to the planting of monocrops used as animal feed. "The huge amount of land needed to produce protein-rich feeds such as soy is having devastating effects on species and their habitats," the report said, "especially in vulnerable areas such as the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and the Himalayas." The report poses that humans are consuming far more protein than is recommended and predicts that if global demand for animal protein continues to grow, the agriculture industry would need to increase soy production by an unsustainable 80 percent. The report identified a large number of animals whose populations are threatened by crop expansion, including giant pandas, cheetahs, jaguars, giraffes, and snow leopards. To remedy the issue, the WWF recommends consuming more plants, adding that feeding plants to animals is an inefficient way to obtain protein. (vegnews.com)
10/11/2017 70 PERCENT OF COLLEGES NOW OFFER DAILY VEGAN OPTIONS
According to a survey, 70 percent of colleges and universities in the US now offer at least one daily vegan meal option—up from only 28 percent in 2014. Peta2, the youth division of animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, surveyed 1,500 colleges and found that 19 percent now offer all-vegan dining stations—a number that has grown from just nine percent in 2016. Marta Holmberg, senior director of peta2's Youth Outreach & Campaigns, tells VegNews that the organization's vegan student representatives are thrilled about the speedy shift toward more plant-based options. This year, several prominent schools—including the University of Southern California—added all-vegan stations to its dining halls. (vegnews.com)
10/10/2017 PLANT-BASED PRODUCT SALES TRIPLE SINCE 2016
New data gathered by market research firm 1010Data found that the online sale of products with a plant-based claim increased by 2.7 times in the last year. Protein powders accounted for 78 percent product sales. "Consumers are getting more conscious" the report states. "They're mindful of the products they put in and on their bodies and the environmental impact they have. As this consciousness increases, manufacturers are taking note." The report stated that searches for the term "plant-based" tripled in the period between March 2016 and July 2017, with a noticeable spike in March 2017—which 1010Data attributed to the release of vegan documentary What the Health. Samir Bhavnani, the area vice president of 1010Data advises that "food companies may be wise to double down focus on plant-based options." (vegnews.com)
10/09/2017 NEW VEGAN SUPERMARKET OPENS IN AUSTRALIA
Gold Coast's first vegan supermarket Vegan Aisle will open this week in Australia. The market will carry nuts, vegan cheeses, chocolate, fresh produce, and local products—such as vegan pesto—not found at supermarket chains. "It's fully vegan," co-owner Brett Page told local media outlet Gold Coast Bulletin. "People don't need to check the labels." The Vegan Aisle—which is situated between two vegan cafés, The Raw Boys and Sozo—came out of the founders' frustration with shopping for vegan products at traditional grocery stores. Farther down the continent, Melbourne's vegan market The Cruelty Free Shop opened in April and offers customers more than 3,500 vegan products—the largest selection in the world. (vegnews.com)
10/07/2017 FORBES' NEWEST CONTRIBUTOR IS VEGAN JOURNALIST
Starting this week, British-born vegan journalist and entrepreneur Katrina Fox will become a bi-weekly contributor to Forbes. Fox will cover topics such as plant-based news, trends, and vegan entrepreneurs. Fox—who is a longtime journalist and the founder of consulting company Vegan Business Media—approached Forbes editors with the idea that the plant-based sector is rapidly growing and is in need of regular editorial coverage, and the editors agreed. Fox's first feature (titled "Should You Sell Your Mission-Driven Brand To A Larger Company That Doesn't Share Your Values?") was published this week—a timely topic following Japanese brand Otsuka's acquisition of vegan cheese brand Daiya Foods for $325 million. Fox will be a featured speaker at the inaugural Plant-Powered Women Leadership Conference Series—an event aimed at empowering vegan women—on March 17 in Sydney, Australia. (vegnews.com)
10/06/2017 BAREBURGER TO OPEN VEGAN RESTAURANT
At the recent "Future of Food" conference, culinary director of New York-based burger chain Bareburger Jonathan Lemon announced plans to open a fully vegan restaurant within the next five months. "The future is here, and meat will play a smaller role in the years to come," Lemon told media outlet National Restaurant News. "Bareburger is committed to not getting left behind and leading the industry in not only great burgers but plant-based offerings as well." Regarding the new vegan eatery Lemon said, "There will not be a drop of meat in this restaurant." Instead, Bareburger's culinary team is currently experimenting with plant-based proteins such as jackfruit, tempeh, tofu, and seitan. In March, the customizeable chain added the Impossible Burger to the menu at select locations. Lemon revealed the vegan-friendly burger will be expanded to all of Bareburger's 45 locations by November due to its popularity with customers. (vegnews.com)
10/05/2017 CROATIAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTED A NEW ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT ON WORLD ANIMAL DAY!
After the great engagement of animal protection associations and the individuals, on World Animal Day, October 4, the Croatian Parliament adopted a new Animal Protection Act! The parliamentarians listened to a message from one banner Animal Friends' activists held in front of the Parliament at the Mark's Square: "Raise your hands for one's paw or hoof." With many positive changes, animal protection organizations and citizens celebrate a great historical and civilization achievement - there will be no killings in shelters in Croatia any more! The new law introduces several positive provisions such as: the ban on permanent chaining of dogs, animals in circuses, holding bears and dolphins in captivity, the sexual acts with animals, plucking feathers to live birds, the sale of ferrets in stores, throwing firecrackers on animals, the partial ban on the use of equidae for harvesting wood from forests, etc. There is also a regulation on animal breeding for sale and a big problem of the black market of companion animals. Several new provisions will contribute to implementing the Act and the reduction of the number of abandoned animals.
10/04/2017 EDIE FALCO DISHES ABOUT HER NEW VEGAN DIET
Award-winning actress Edie Falco—who played lead character Carmela Soprano on the popular HBO series The Sopranos—discussed her recent transition to veganism in a recent interview with media outlet Parade. Falco—who has been vegetarian for 16 years—explained that her work with animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) inspired her to remove all animal products from her diet eight months ago. "It's hard to justify working for animal-rights when you eat animal-based foods," Falco said. "Animals are mistreated in ways I had not imagined. I believe this is at the base of everything bad in society—you can bring it back to cruelty to animals. If you don't have respect for life of any kind, it will manifest in more obvious ways." (vegnews.com)
10/03/2017 1,200 NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADD VEGAN LUNCH OPTION
All 1,200 schools in the New York City public school district will offer at least one vegan entrée at the beginning of this school year. Students will now be able to choose hummus for lunch, with several schools adding more creative vegan options such as Mexicali Chili, Lentil Stew, Lentil Sloppy Joes, Braised Black Beans with Plantains, and Zesty BBQ Crunchy Tofu. The Coalition for Healthy School Food (CHSF) is behind the new initiative and, to date, has worked with the city's department of education to help three NYC schools—Active Learning Elementary School in Queens (PS244), Peck Slip School in Manhattan (PS343), and The Bergen Elementary School (PS1) in Brooklyn—to transition to an all-vegetarian menu. PS1 Principal Arlene Ramos revealed that students asked for healthier, meatless options and that she is proud to be able to introduce the new menu. Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams—who adopted a vegan diet last October to conquer his type 2 diabetes—supports the menu update. (vegnews.com)
10/02/2017 BE A COMPASSIONATE VOICE FOR ANIMALS TODAY
World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA), founded in 1983, is dedicated to exposing the needless suffering and death of sentient animals raised and killed for food. Each year, approximately 65 billion animals are killed to produce meat, eggs, and dairy. Most of these animals are raised on factory farms, where they are confined, mutilated and raised to grow so large, so quickly, that many of them literally suffer to death. Even animals raised on small family farms endure many of these abuses. Regardless of how they were raised, all animals raised for food face a gruesome slaughter. Join today people around the world who envision a kinder, more compassionate world where animals are no longer seen as commodities, raised for their flesh and by-products. Learn how to join this global movement here. (dayforanimals.org)
The number of news found: 22.
