Nutricion policy / Food policy

cows in feed lot agriculture

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Sustainability / Environment

Study Highlights Gap in Sustainability Policies Addressing Animal Agriculture’s Climate Impact

A recent study conducted by the nonprofit Animal Outlook has brought attention to a critical omission in sustainability policies among major US corporations: the failure to address the role of animal agriculture in climate change. Despite increasing commitments to climate action, the report found that none of the publicly available sustainability policies of the top 100 highest-earning companies in the US include measures to reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Animal agriculture accounts for over 16.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to estimates cited by the organization. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has also highlighted the sector’s role in producing 37% of methane emissions, a greenhouse gas with a warming potential 20 times greater than carbon dioxide. Animal Outlook, which is a …

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Society

LA County Expands Plant-Based Food Procurement to Cut Emissions

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has just approved a motion to increase the procurement of plant-based foods across county departments, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health. The unanimous decision builds on legislation enacted in 2023 and introduces specific targets and measures for food programs at county facilities. Under the updated guidelines, county food services are encouraged to adopt a 2-to-1 ratio of plant-based to animal-based entrees. Additionally, all county food programs are required to provide a daily vegan meal option and plant-based dairy alternatives. Local sourcing will also be prioritized to support regional growers and reduce supply chain emissions. “As our region’s largest employer, we have a responsibility to ensure county facilities have a positive environmental impact,” said Supervisor …

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Politics & Law

This “Ushers in a New Era in Nutrition Policy”: German Scientific Society DGE Revises Stance on Veganism

The German Nutrition Society (DGE), the country’s most influential body on nutrition policy, has revised its official position on vegan nutrition and declared that a vegan diet is extremely environmentally friendly and can be beneficial to health. In its new position on vegan nutrition, for the first time, the organisation considers the environment, animal welfare, and social issues as objectives of a more sustainable diet alongside health. This has decisive consequences: the professional organisation for nutrition, whose recommendations largely shape communal catering and nutritional advice in Germany, has moved away from its negative stance. “This new position ushers in a new era in nutrition policy in Germany,” comments Anna-Lena Klapp, International Nutrition and Health Lead at ProVeg. “Together with the recently updated DGE guidelines, the new …

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The European Commission has published a new communication, Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU.

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Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

EU Commission Proposes Ambitious Biotech Initiative, Including Key Actions for Alt Proteins

The European Commission has published a new initiative, Building the Future with Nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU, that summarises the sector’s challenges and proposes a line of actions to address these barriers in different industries, such as agriculture, health, marine biotech, and food and feed among others. According to the Good Food Institute Europe‘s policy team, the document provides three key actions pertinent to Europe’s alternative protein sector, as follows. Firstly, the document emphasises the importance of fostering public and private investments in biotechnology through the European Innovation Council’s accelerator program. It suggests including specific biotech-related challenges in the program to support innovative technologies and solutions. Furthermore, the document mentions exploring new investment support options from the European Investment Bank to boost …

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Vegan protein sources- EIT Food calls for innovative policymaking on protein diversification to address the challenges of the food system Challenges

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Protein

Think Tank Calls for Innovative Policymaking on Protein Diversification to Address EU Food System Challenges

A new policy brief by the food innovation community EIT Food, Accelerating Protein Diversification for Europe, argues that innovative policymaking is key to unlocking protein diversification to transform Europe’s food system. To feed a growing population and minimize the adverse effects of animal agriculture on the environment and human health, new policy strategies should prioritise protein diversification, including plant and algae-based, cultivated, fermented, and insect-based alternatives, states the paper. The policy brief, developed by Think Tank EIT Food Protein Diversification in consultation with experts and stakeholders across the sector provides policy recommendations for decision-makers to accelerate a change for sustainable proteins in the region. “This collaborative effort confirms the important role of EU governments in driving change — from R&I funding, to enabling policy frameworks, to support for …

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The Good Food Institute has released two white papers that explore the potential of alternative seafood.

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Studies & Numbers

New GFI Alt Seafood Reports: Meeting the Global Demand for Seafood Without Depleting the Oceans

The Good Food Institute (GFI) has released two white papers that delve into the potential of alternative seafood to meet the increasing global seafood demand while achieving the world’s climate and biodiversity goals.  With seafood production projected to grow by 14% from 2020 to 2030, traditional fishing and aquaculture will impact the oceans and the environment severely, threatening biodiversity and marine habitats, argues GFI. However, plant-based and cultivated seafood have the potential to mitigate GHG emissions and also address other global challenges, such as biodiversity loss, nutrition, public health, and food security. GFI’s new research reports shed light on how policymakers, researchers, and ocean advocates can advance alternative seafood. Building climate policy momentum for alternative seafood This white paper explores how plant-based and cultivated seafood …

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Powdered microalgae ingredients

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Fairs & Events

Industry Leaders to Gather at IPBFWG Event to Discuss the Role of Plant-Based Foods in a Sustainable Food System

The International Plant Based Foods Working Group (IPBFWG) announces its upcoming event, “The Role of Plant Foods in Transitioning to a Sustainable Food System,” set to take place on the 13th of October, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. IPBFWG, a coalition of international plant-based trade associations representing Europe, the UK, Canada, the USA, China, India, and Mexico, promotes a healthier, more sustainable, and more compassionate food system. The event aims to bring together key stakeholders, experts, policymakers, and organizations to support and expand the plant-based food industry to maximize production and promote the transformation of the animal-centered global food system.  The program includes the IPBFWG Industry Forum, where industry leaders will discuss important topics such as market growth, consumer education, and the influence of multinational corporations on the sector. The goal is …

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PlantEurope Network announces online panel discussion on public policies to adopt plant-based diets

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Fairs & Events

PlantEurope Network Hosts Virtual Discussion on Plant–Based Diet in Policy Frameworks

PlantEurope Network, a new initiative for a plant-based food system, announces its upcoming panel discussion, “Working Towards The Inclusion of a Plant-Based Diet in Public Policy.” The online event will take place via Zoom webinar on May 24th from 4-6 pm CEST, and is free of charge.  Revealing and sharing strategies The panel facilitator, Dr. Shireen Kassam, will be joined by Sofie Verhoeven from Belgium, Anne Pøhl Enevoldsen from Denmark, Jeroom Remmers from the Netherlands, and Keyvan Mostafavi from France to provide insights into existing national food strategies from pioneering countries in Europe. They will discuss different approaches to incorporating plant–based diet into policy frameworks. Through their personal experiences, they will reveal the strategies used by civil society to bring their proposals to fruition. They will also …

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tall grass with flowers

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Sustainability / Environment

GFI Europe: Alt Proteins Could Halt Biodiversity Loss in the UK & Globally

The international nonprofit the Good Food Institute Europe says alternative proteins could help achieve the objectives of the UK’s Environmental Improvement Plan 2023. Recently published by the UK government, the document provides a comprehensive delivery plan for the government’s approach to “halting and then reversing the decline in nature.” A decline in nature? According to scientists, humanity is facing a rapid biodiversity loss that has become a crisis, with a global rate of species extinction tens to hundreds of times higher than the average over the past 10 million years. At the UN Nature Summit COP15 in December 2022, nations, including the UK, adopted an ambitious new global agreement to protect biodiversity (similar to the Paris agreement), to conserve and manage at least 30 percent of the …

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ProVeg Oat Milk/ Dairy-Free Milk

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Politics & Law

ProVeg Urges FDA to Protect Consumer Choice as Agency Considers Plant-Based “Milk” Ban

Food awareness organization ProVeg International is urging the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to refrain from issuing new guidance that could discriminate against America’s rapidly growing plant-based milk sector. The FDA has sent an unpublished guidance document, entitled “Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements”, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). ProVeg has learned this document may include a ban on the use of “milk” terms for plant-based products out of fear that it misleads consumers.  The organization is now calling on the FDA to protect dairy-free milk products from such labeling restrictions, which it says would discourage and impede food innovation.  Congressional letter Four US Senators, including Cory Booker, Mike Lee and Julia Brownley, already issued a letter to …

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Jack Truman

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Opinion

Op Ed: Jack Truman, Vegan Democratic Candidate, Missouri USA

In this, the first instalment of our brand new Opinion section which will feature the views and insights of leaders and figures from across plant-based and cell-based industries; Jack Truman, Democratic Candidate, Missouri 4th Congressional District, shares his thoughts about the changes which need to be made in society. An animal rights activist and vegan for 22 years, Truman is a self-described liberal conservative who intends to bring positive change to Missouri’s 4th district, which he notes is located in the heart of cattle country. The Times Need to Change, by Jack Truman It’s time for a change. Change is good. People should embrace change. This country is definitely changing. But from what I’ve seen, especially over these last few years, people are only willing to …

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PBFA Logo

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Politics & Law

PBFA Launches New Institute to Drive Transition to Plant-Based Food System

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) announces the launch of a sister non-profit, The Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI.) Led by food systems experts and industry pioneers, the Institute aims to drive transition to a plant-based food system by advancing key business and policy initiatives.  While the PBFA works to expand access to plant-based foods in the marketplace, PBFI’s goal is to cultivate solutions that shift government policies, agricultural practices, and demand toward a regenerative plant-based food system. To accomplish this, the organization will work with stakeholders to identify and implement effective strategies and approaches. Its board members include: Rachel Dreskin, CEO, PBFI and PBFA Jaime Athos, CEO, The Tofurky Company Matt Dunaj, CFO & VP of Operations, Follow Your Heart Tyler Whitely, Director, Transfarmation …

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Quorn truck Downing Street

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Politics & Law

Quorn Truck Says “No More Porkies” As Boris Johnson Leaves Office

Quorn has sent a food truck to Downing Street emblazoned with “No More Porkies” (porkies, or pork pies, referring to the rhyming slang for lies) as Boris Johnson gets ready to leave office after a leadership term famous for his repeated lies to the British people. Just hours before Johnson leaves office, the stunt saw Quorn’s truck serving up free pork-free ham sandwiches featuring its new Deli range to the public in order to celebrate the end of the PM’s “porkies”. The pork-free sandwich truck toured Whitehall, Downing Street, Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge with the stunt organised by PR firm Taylor Herring. Quorn’s new Deli range consisting of Yorkshire Ham, Roast Chicken, Roast Beef and Finely Sliced Ham will be available in the chilled aisles …

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Politics & Law

Report Tells UK Government to Revise “Fragmented and Underdeveloped” Alt-Protein Policy

A report by the Social Market Foundation has called on the UK government to update its alt-protein policy, with the aim of improving consumer choice and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable food system. The report says that with its current “fragmented and underdeveloped” policy, the UK risks falling behind other countries. The authors propose several steps the government could take to remedy this. The recommendations are as follows: The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy should develop a UK alt-protein strategy, with input from other departments, within a year. An alt-protein innovation needs assessment should be commissioned to understand how best to spend money and how much R&D is needed. Supermarkets should aim for at least 30% of protein sales to be …

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Plant Based Food Alliance UK Logo_TW + LI

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Society

Plant-Based Food Alliance Launches to Help Make UK a Global Plant-Based Leader

A new coalition of companies, charities, and civil groups called the Plant-Based Food Alliance, with founding members Alpro, Oatly, ProVeg UK, Upfield, and The Vegan Society, has launched in the UK to provide a voice for the growing plant-based sector. The Alliance says its aim is to “help make the UK a global leader in plant-based food and drink”. The organisation will be developing a UK Plant-based Food Charter, which will enable businesses to collaborate with the UK government to promote the transition to a plant-based diet. The Alliance will campaign for policies such as: Public health campaigns informing people of the benefits of a plant-based diet. Labels on food packaging to show the environmental impact of plant-based versus animal-based products. Support to help farmers …

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Jivinti campaign Kamala Harris

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Society

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams & Heather Mills Join “Plant-Powered Kamala” Campaign

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, youth activist and Million Dollar Vegan advocate Genesis Butler, and vegan entrepreneur Heather Mills are part of a group supporting the JIVINITI campaign, asking the Biden-Harris administration to push for plant-based solutions to a range of pressing issues including Covid-19 pandemic, food insecurity, chronic illness, and climate change.

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Kamala Harris Facebook

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Society

Kamala Harris Advocates Meat Reduction Measures – US Presidential Election as Possible Key Factor for Plant-Based Economy

Kamala Harris, the first female vice president in US history, is well-known for her contribution to animal welfare and has already advocated national measures aimed at the reduction of America’s meat consumption. Accordingly, this year’s presidential election has the potential to turn out as a key factor for the plant-based economy.

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Michael Mansfield

Michael Mansfield QC, image courtesy of Viva!
Top Stories

Michael Mansfield QC: “I Have One, Singular Message – to Make Ecoside an International Crime”

Vegan charity Viva! launched its  Vegan Now campaign yesterday at the Labour Party Conference. The launch was fronted by Michael Mansfield QC, a leading barrister, who has been quoted in the popular press this week  including the Telegraph and the Independent, as saying that in future, eating meat could be made illegal, and should be banned like smoking in public.

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Environmental Conscious Businessman in Nature

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Society

How to Launch a Vegan Industrial Revolution

Could ‘shroomdogs’ and ‘veggie ribs’ be modern emblems of British innovation? These were two of the meat-free delights on offer at Sainsbury’s ‘vegan butchers’ – the UK’s first – which opened its doors to Londoners in late June. As one of the country’s largest supermarkets, Sainsbury’s recent animal-friendly zeal exhibits veganism’s gradual growth from hipsterish novelty into mainstream cuisine. That growth, combined with challenges it has yet to overcome, make it a perfect target for some activist policymaking. Many vegans and vegetarians will have heard the complaint that abstaining from meat remains unaffordable for many families and households – with veganism in particular sometimes being labelled as ‘classist’. While it may sting one’s moral sensibilities, this largely misses the point. New habits and technologies have …

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