January is sort of over, which, in fact, means it’s the tip of Veganuary. However there’s no must be dissatisfied as a result of constructive information within the vegan meals world has not slowed down. Kite Hill is filling the Veganuary void with Dairy-Free February, and one other of the most important tales this week needs to be Gordon Ramsay’s partnership with plant-based butter model Flora (extra on each beneath).
It’s additionally been per week of recent research—considered one of which confirmed the constructive affect of the Mediterranean weight-reduction plan on Latino mind well being. One other expressed concern over poisonous metals in protein powders, however should you’re fearful, we gathered recommendation on how one can keep away from these from an knowledgeable within the discipline.
This week, we additionally explored the brand new “espresso loophole weight-reduction plan” and requested the query: Ought to President Trump actually be consuming all of that Weight-reduction plan Coke?
From the tragic finish of vegan KitKats to extra plant-based meals at Lidl, discover out extra in regards to the vegan information of the week beneath.
Vegan meals information
This week, Ramsay’s partnership with Flora marks a significant milestone for the plant-based meals trade. Plus, a brand new month-long dairy-free marketing campaign, vegan meals launches, and the unhappy finish of plant-based KitKats.
Flora
Gordon Ramsay companions with Flora
It’s been greater than two years since Gordon Ramsay admitted that he does, in reality, get pleasure from vegan meals on an episode of Masterchef. Earlier than this, the famend British chef was famously in opposition to vegans, and even as soon as joked about being “allergic” to them. However instances have actually modified, as a result of Ramsay not solely loves vegan meals now, however he’s actively selling it. The chef has teamed up with Flora Meals Group to advertise the model’s plant-based butter.
In keeping with Ramsay, he often makes use of the butter in his personal cooking. “I’ve put the product by way of its paces,” he mentioned in a press release. Granted he makes use of it in non-vegan dishes, like scrambled eggs, however, because the chef notes, it’s nonetheless a major change. “It offers me the creaminess and wealthy style I get from butter, while being extra sustainable,” he added.
Flora
The partnership—which sees Ramsay cooking with the plant-based butter in social media ads—is a part of Flora’s ongoing Skip the Cow marketing campaign, which inspires customers to ditch dairy butter in favor of Flora merchandise, which have been 100% plant-based since 2023.
Jorn Socquet, Flora Meals Group’s Chief Advertising and marketing Officer, mentioned that the partnership with Ramsay “represents a watershed second for sustainable cooking.” He added: “Chef Ramsay’s endorsement validates what we’ve lengthy recognized—that sustainable selections needn’t compromise on style or efficiency.”
Kite Hill launches dairy-free problem for February
Vegan model Kite Hill can be urging customers to ditch dairy. The California-based firm lately introduced the launch of its Dairy-Free February marketing campaign, which, just like Veganuary, encourages folks to go with out dairy merchandise for one month. All through the month, it’s going to work with social media creators to advertise recipes and cooking ideas utilizing its dairy-free merchandise, together with its in style vegan Greek yogurts.
“Our mission at Kite Hill is to each debunk and defy all dairy-free expectations by creating great-tasting meals that assist folks really feel their finest,” Connie Sintuvat, Vice President of Advertising and marketing at Kite Hill, mentioned in a press release. “Throughout our #DairyFreeFeb marketing campaign, we’re asking one easy factor of customers: strive us.”
Nestlé
Vegan KitKat is being discontinued in every single place
Lately, Nestlé introduced the information that it was discontinuing the vegan model of its KitKat bars in all markets, other than the UK, the place it’s going to preserve a small presence for slightly bit longer. In keeping with a spokesperson, this was as a consequence of falling “international demand,” which made “manufacturing an increasing number of advanced.”
“We’ve got now made the troublesome resolution to discontinue the product,” they added. “We all know there will likely be some disappointment, nonetheless, it’s going to nonetheless be out there within the UK and Eire till the summer season.”
For those who’re craving chocolate, fortunately, there are many different vegan selections. Discover our final information to vegan chocolate right here.
Lidl companions with WWF to advertise plant-based meals gross sales
Demand is likely to be falling for vegan KitKats, however within the aisles of Lidl, plant-based meals are rising in reputation. Lately, it introduced it was partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to push its vegan gross sales much more, intending to extend them by 20 % throughout 31 markets by 2030.
Lidl’s new technique will use WWF’s Plant-Primarily based Diets Retailer Methodology, which gives a transparent framework to retailers for bettering and measuring plant-based gross sales, to increase its vegan vary. “By prioritizing plant-based choices, Lidl demonstrates how retailers can drive meals system transformation,” mentioned Mariella Meyer of WWF Switzerland in a press release.
Montezuma’s launches vegan truffles for Valentine’s Day
Common UK chocolate model Montezuma’s has launched new vegan truffles in time for Valentine’s Day. The brand new sweets are referred to as Viva Las Vegan and are available in three flavors: Hazy Days (hazelnut), Candy Escape (caramel), and Berry Scrumptious (strawberry). Different Montezuma’s vegan choices good for Valentine’s embody its Black Forest chocolate bars and its Natural Darkish Chocolate Large Buttons.
Past Meat
Past Steak has expanded to France
The French vegan market is rising. Quickly, Past Meat’s Past Steak will likely be out there within the nation’s meals service sector for the very first time. Just like its well-known Past Burgers, Past Meat’s steak has been developed to imitate the style and texture of steak constructed from animal merchandise. It’s additionally protein-packed and cholesterol-free.
“I’m delighted to begin the 12 months by bringing Past Steak to France – a scrumptious product which delivers an extremely juicy and scrumptious style, in a approach that’s kinder to the planet – no animal hurt required,” mentioned Past Meat’s gross sales director for France, Laura Durand, in a press release.
Vegan restaurant and eating information
This week, even Kentucky museums are going plant-based. Plus a brand new thrilling menu addition at PLNT Burger, a vegan work canteen within the UK, and dairy-free mozzarella at DoubleDaves.
Sabrina the Vegan
PLNT Burger provides cultured cheddar to the menu
East Coast chain PLNT Burger is the place to go should you’re having fast-food cravings. From meaty vegan burgers to vegan hen sandwiches to creamy shakes, the menu ticks all the packing containers. However it simply received even higher. The chain has partnered with Swedish meals tech model Stockeld Dreamery so as to add cultured cheddar to the menu. The corporate’s cheese is made with conventional fermentation strategies, which supplies it an genuine dairy-like style and texture. “Cultured cheese belongs on a burger,” mentioned Sorosh Tavakoli, CEO of Stockeld Dreamery, by way of Linkedin.
Kentucky’s Nationwide Corvette Museum launches vegan menu
The Nationwide Corvette Museum in Bowling Inexperienced, KY—which recurrently hosts a number of reveals and occasions—has added new vegan choices to the menu at its Stingray Grill restaurant in a bid to cater to plant-based and flexitarian sports activities automotive followers. The brand new dishes embody a Curried Chickpea Sandwich, a Black Bean Burger, and vegan nuggets.
Miyoko’s Creamery
DoubleDaves pizza chain companions with Miyoko’s Creamery
In Texas, plant-based diners can even get their arms on extra vegan choices. The state’s in style pizza chain DoubleDaves lately partnered with Miyoko’s Creamery to supply the model’s dairy-free pourable mozzarella as an choice on all of its pies. Marc Asmussen, Director of Gross sales and Meals Service at Miyoko’s Creamery, mentioned in a press release: “This collaboration marks a major step in making scrumptious, sustainable, and accessible dairy-free choices out there to much more pizza followers.”
Ecotricity opens the UK’s first vegan work canteen
Throughout the Atlantic, within the UK, what’s doubtlessly the primary ever vegan work canteen has opened in Stroud. Ecotricity—a inexperienced power firm based by eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince OBE—will now supply plant-based, sustainable meals to all staff in the course of the workday. Posting in regards to the new canteen on Instagram, Vince mentioned: “We didn’t realize it was a primary, however it usually seems that approach once we simply do issues we expect ought to be achieved.”
For extra plant-based tales like this, learn:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and author primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.