Vegan Burger Display at a Take Away stall in London's Borough Market UK

Image courtesy of Lallemand

Lallemand’s Animal-Free Vitamin D Yeast Approved For Multi-Category Use in UK

Lallemand, a family-owned business headquartered in Canada, announces the expansion of categories of use for its non-animal derived Lalmin vitamin D yeast in the UK. The company pioneered the use of vitamin D yeast as a novel food, obtaining the first such authorization in the EU in 2014. The respective Ministers of Primary Care and Public Health in England, Scotland, and Wales have now authorized extended uses in 26 food categories of UV-treated baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as an animal-free source of vitamin D, marking the first post-Brexit vitamin D yeast approval in the UK by Lallemand. The new categories include bakery, fermented products, sauces and condiments, pasta, and meat and dairy analogs. An application has also been submitted to the US FDA to extend …

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Eat a Whole Lot More Plants Campaign logo

Image: nyc.gov

NYC Launches “Eat A Whole Lot More Plants” Campaign to Promote Healthy Eating

A new campaign called “Eat A Whole Lot More Plants” has launched in New York City to encourage citizens to adopt a healthy, balanced diet. Ads for the campaign will run on television, radio, subways, NYCLink, outdoor media, and digital channels. The ads will explain the benefits of whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts, highlighting their nutrient density and lack of sodium, added sugar, or unhealthy fats. There will also be an emphasis on the role of plant-based foods in preventing chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. The campaign will explore simple swaps such as replacing meat with beans, and will suggest culturally diverse plant-based meals. Advice and support will be provided to those …

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Beyond Steak Healthy Plant-Based Meat

©Beyond Meat

Beyond Steak Becomes “First” Plant-Based Meat Certified by the American Heart Association

Beyond Meat (Nasdaq: BYND) announces Beyond Steak has become the first plant-based meat and first steak to be certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check Program.  The product will now carry the organization’s widely recognized Heart-Check seal, which helps consumers identify healthier foods when reading nutrition labels.  According to Beyond, its steak joins a select group of food products that meet the Association’s exacting nutritional standards for a heart-healthy food – including being low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium, and having over 10% of the Daily Value of essential nutrients.  Described as a better-for-you and portionable product, each serving of Beyond Steak offers 21 grams of protein, 170 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat, with no cholesterol, GMOs or added hormones …

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NHA Plant-Based Conference

©National Health Association

The NHA 2023 Conference Will Celebrate 75 Years of Promoting Plant-Based Health

The US-based National Health Association (NHA) announces it will celebrate its 75th anniversary at its 2023  Annual Health Conference. Taking place June 23-25 in Ohio, the conference recently opened registration for virtual attendees to participate via livestream.  Founded in 1948, the NHA is described as the world oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people about the benefits of a whole-food, plant-exclusive diet. Among its initiatives, the NHA promotes water fasting and the integration of the personal, environmental and social aspects of health. The group also publishes Health Science, a quarterly, ad-free educational magazine. Its upcoming 75th Anniversary Conference will feature over a dozen leading health experts, chefs and environmental and animal activists, including: Colin Campbell, PhD – Biochemist, author of The China Study, and founder …

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The Live Green Co - Team Picture

© The LiveGreen Co

The Plant Revolution: Clean Label Food Needs to Be The Norm, Not the Exception

Priyanka “Pri” Srinivas, founder and CEO of The Live Green Co, here writes a special guest article for vegconomist, putting forth her thoughts on why companies in the health food industry need to get on board with clean label products. Perspectives on healthy eating have been shifting significantly worldwide, inaugurating a general “green” trend moving towards more plant-based and sustainable diets. It was shown that plant-only eating doubled in continental Europe between 2016 and 2020 and another report found the number of vegans in the United States rocketed up by 500% over a similar time period.  While it is important that this “plant revolution” retains its authenticity and credibility, even vegan ‘meats’ can fall into the newly recognized category of ‘ultra-processed’ food, which has been …

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ADM and Brightseed to develop synbiotic products for microbiome optimization

© Image courtesy of ADM & Brightseed

ADM and Brightseed Partner to Develop Synbiotic Products for Gut Health

US ingredients leader ADM has announced a partnership with bioactives company Brightseed to develop evidence-based functional synbiotic products that target microbiome optimization. ADM, which has invested an undisclosed amount in the venture, aims to offer a range of clinically validated functional ingredients for foods and beverages, dietary supplements, and medical foods by 2025. Synbiotics are gut health solutions in the form of food and supplements, which combine probiotics (health-beneficial microbial strains) with prebiotics (non-digestible fibers and plant substrates that microbes use to grow), explains ADM. AI technology The collaboration involves using Brightseed’s AI technology, Forager, to decipher the molecular interactions between dietary plants and gut microbes and their precise impact on human health. Preliminary profiling has showcased the AI’s ability to discover bioactives in plants and …

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Vegan probiotic drink

©GoodBelly

NextFoods Merges Dairy-Free Probiotic Brand GoodBelly with Cherry Juice Innovator Cheribundi

NextFoods, a leader in the US functional food and beverage industry, announces it is merging dairy-free probiotic brand GoodBelly with sports nutrition innovator Cheribundi. NextFoods says the merger will bring together two high-growth companies to focus on expanding strategic channels to propel them to the forefront of whole foods-based nutrition.  As part of the merger, Marcel Bens, current CEO of Cheribundi, will also assume the role of NextFoods CEO. NextFoods notes that both companies will retain separate branding and audiences.  Good Belly produces a line of probiotic-infused juices, shots and supplements created to support gut health. Unlike many probiotic beverages, its fruit-based JuiceDrinks are completely dairy-free. GoodBelly’s product portfolio can be found at 20,000 major retail locations across the US, and is also available on …

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Healthy Vegan Burgers

©NoBull Burgers

Meet NoBull Burger: A “True” Veggie Burger Leading the Movement for Whole Food Ingredients

In the past decade, countless plant-based burgers have debuted on the global retail market, seeking either to recreate the experience of eating beef or to offer classic garden-style patties made of veggies, grains and legumes. However, many such products have been accused of compromising on quality by containing excessively processed ingredients or lacking in taste and flavor.  NoBull Burger was launched to bring healthy change. Founded by mother and chef Chrissanne Raymond, NoBull burgers are made exclusively from 100% “close-to-the-earth” whole ingredients, such as organic lentils, grains and roasted veggies. Most importantly, the brand claims, its products offer truly delicious flavor, and provides consumers with a clean and versatile source of plant-based protein.  According to the brand, Raymond began making veggie burgers in 1970 using …

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Playground co-founders inc Christina Aguilera

© Playground

Christina Aguilera Joins Vegan Sexual Wellness Brand Playground as Co-Founder

Playground, a sexual wellness brand of water-based personal lubricants created by women for women, announces Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera has joined as co-founder and chief brand advisor. Aguilera will work alongside CEO Catherine Magee and Co-founder Sandy Vukovic, to shed stigma around the discussion of sexual health and “further champion the brand’s mission to create an open dialogue around sexual wellness”. Playground creates intimate health products consciously designed for women’s skin, stating that while others focus purely on lubrication, Playground products “hydrate, soothe and spark the libido with plant-based ingredients that are clean, vegan and free of harmful ingredients – it’s like premium skincare for the vagina.” The brand’s debut collection of personal lubricants start at $25 with the aim of democratizing access to …

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Reindeer lichen

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VEGADELIGHT Vegan Vitamin D3 Sourced from Lichen Achieves GRAS Status

Nutraland USA announces that its Natural Vegan Vitamin D3 ingredient from lichen, VEGADELIGHT®, has achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. After an intensive review of safety, an independent panel of scientific experts concluded that Nutraland’s VEGADELIGHT® Natural Vegan Vitamin D3 was safe within the terms of Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and GRAS according to Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR). The achievement of GRAS status is a significant milestone for VEGADELIGHT®, as it confirms its safety for use in food, beverage, and supplement products. “We are thrilled to have achieved GRAS status for VEGADELIGHT®,” said a spokesperson for Nutraland USA. “This certification is a testament to the safety and quality of our Natural Vegan Vitamin D3 ingredient. With the …

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Roquette develops fibres to make novel prebiotic products

© Roquette

Roquette & PharmaBiome to Create “Cutting-Edge” Prebiotics With Predictive Microbiome Technology

PharmaBiome and Roquette have announced an agreement to design brand-new nutrition and health ingredients known as microbiome-targeted fibers. The partnership involves utilizing PharmaBiome’s proprietary NicheMap technology to screen and formulate “cutting-edge” prebiotics using novel soluble fibers developed by Roquette. Knowing the structural characteristics of a prebiotic made from fibers is vital in producing new ingredients with specific health properties, PharmaBiome explains. Supplementing diets with fiber “This project with PharmaBiome will allow Roquette to offer new microbiome-targeted fibers with scientifically proven health benefits. We are very pleased by the results of this continued collaboration which reinforces our commitment to delivering plant-based innovative ingredients to the food, nutrition, and health sectors,” said Dr. Laetitia Guérin-Deremaux, head of nutrition and health R&D at Roquette. Roquette, a leading global …

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Zero Acre Healthy Plant-Based Oil

©Zero Acre Farms

Chipotle Makes Investment in Cultured Oil Innovator Zero Acre Farms

Fast casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill announces it is investing in cultured oil startup Zero Acre Farms through its venture fund, Cultivate Next. The investment, made for an undisclosed sum, is part of a series of initiatives Chipotle is taking to help it further its socially responsible mission and meet ESG goals.  Zero Acre Farms is a company focused on ending the food industry’s dependence on vegetable oils by offering healthier, more sustainable oils and fats. According to Chipotle, the world’s vast production of vegetable oils every year contributes heavily to global deforestation and carbon emissions. Zero Acres says it has created a new category of healthier, cultured oils using environmentally-friendly fermentation techniques.  Market debut In July 2022, Zero Acre launched its first commercial product …

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Whole Foods co-founder John Mackey

John Mackey. © Whole Foods

John Mackey’s Love.Life Acquires Plant Based TeleHealth to Make Lifestyle Medicine More Accessible

Health and wellness company Love.Life, created by former Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, announces it has acquired US telemedicine service Plant Based TeleHealth Inc. Following the acquisition, the company has rebranded to Love.Life Telehealth and says the service will add to the robust suite of medical offerings at Love.Life’s physical locations, set to open in 2024.  Using video conferencing and patient portal technologies, Love.Life Telehealth provides virtual medical care for patients who are focused on optimal wellness or have chronic diseases. The service utilizes lifestyle medicine to help prevent or reverse a wide spectrum of diseases and medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressue, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune diseases, inflammation and digestive issues.  According to Love.Life, these conditions and overall wellness needs can …

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© Feelgood Condoms

Newly Launched Vegan Brand Feelgood Condoms Are Made With Green Electricity

Swiss company Brandmover, headed by sexual health specialist Martina Hammer, formerly of Johnson & Johnson, launches new sustainable Feelgood Condoms. The condoms are vegan and produced with green electricity, according to the brand, whose motto is “Not only for vegans & animal lovers: Feelgood satisfies everyone”. Speaking to vegconomist, Martina explained, “The electricity used for the production of the feelgood condoms comes 100% from energy sources that meet the internationally recognized standards of EKOenergy. This is generated in a CO2-neutral manner and there is no interference with existing ecosystems or a general impairment of fauna and flora. EKOenergy ensures that, for example, no electricity is drawn from wind turbines in bird sanctuaries. In addition, part of the electricity costs flows into the climate and environmental …

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Wicked Meatball Sub

Meatball Sub© Plant Junkie

Plant Junkie Opens Healthy Vegan Fast Food Concept in New York and Chicago

Plant Junkie, a new fast food concept specializing in better-for-you plant-based cuisine, announces it is now open in several locations across New York City and Chicago.  Founded by New York restauranteur Nat Milner and Chef Hiranth Jaysinghe, Plant Junkie’s menu is focused on offering a delicious, healthier alternative to traditional fast food that goes beyond burgers.  The concept’s menu features a diverse variety of globally inspired plant-based dishes, ranging from bowls and salads to burgers, sandwiches and sides. Featured entrees include the Bangkok Curry Bowl (Peanut noodles, baked red curry tofu, Asian cabbage slaw, coconut kale, crispy lotus root), the Sri Lankan Buddha Bowl (Yellow basmati rice, chickpea curry, seitan curry, coconut kale, crispy papadum) and New York “Chicken” Caesar Salad. The concept’s sandwiches include …

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