A great piece, well explained. I'd also add that while supermarkets hold food producers and consumers to ransom, food choices are limited by which brands manage to get a foothold in the big stores. I also think the move towards consuming less ultra-high processed foods will have an impact. The way forwards is Whole Food Plant Based eating, in my humble opinion - and the best vegan section in any store is the fruit and veg!
A lot of these new vegan products were useless anyway because they are either not ecologically or socially responsible (for example, because they contain palm oil, coconut or other raw materials that are responsible for the destruction of forests, extinction of plant and animal species and genocide against indigenous peoples in South America or Southeast Asia and/or they come in packaging that is not readily recyclable) or they are useless from a nutritional aspect because they replace a protein food but have very little protein. For example, vegan 'cheeses' made with coconut oil and almost no protein are totally useless and tofu, made with soybeans that were grown in Europe is a much better alternative.
You raise a valid point. Some vegan products do miss the mark on sustainability and nutrition, especially when they rely on ingredients like palm oil or come in non-recyclable packaging. It’s crucial that veganism isn’t just about avoiding animal products, but also about considering the broader ecological and social impacts. That’s why many vegans focus on whole, minimally processed foods like tofu, beans, and local produce, which are more sustainable and nutritious. The movement can and should evolve to push for better, more ethical options that align with its core values.
Absolutely. We were enthralled by the pseudo meat and dairy replicas but have reverted to a majority of un or only partially processed fruit n veg. Let’s not forget potatoes and beans are vegan too.
Interesting. The UK perspective is different. Vegan-friendly products are now alongside non-vegan ones. And there are many more products coming to market. They’ve been good margin drivers
That’s a great point! The UK has indeed seen a significant rise in vegan-friendly products, with supermarkets expanding their plant-based offerings. It’s encouraging to see more accessible options driving competition and innovation. This trend shows how demand for ethical, sustainable products can reshape markets globally.
A great piece, well explained. I'd also add that while supermarkets hold food producers and consumers to ransom, food choices are limited by which brands manage to get a foothold in the big stores. I also think the move towards consuming less ultra-high processed foods will have an impact. The way forwards is Whole Food Plant Based eating, in my humble opinion - and the best vegan section in any store is the fruit and veg!
A lot of these new vegan products were useless anyway because they are either not ecologically or socially responsible (for example, because they contain palm oil, coconut or other raw materials that are responsible for the destruction of forests, extinction of plant and animal species and genocide against indigenous peoples in South America or Southeast Asia and/or they come in packaging that is not readily recyclable) or they are useless from a nutritional aspect because they replace a protein food but have very little protein. For example, vegan 'cheeses' made with coconut oil and almost no protein are totally useless and tofu, made with soybeans that were grown in Europe is a much better alternative.
You raise a valid point. Some vegan products do miss the mark on sustainability and nutrition, especially when they rely on ingredients like palm oil or come in non-recyclable packaging. It’s crucial that veganism isn’t just about avoiding animal products, but also about considering the broader ecological and social impacts. That’s why many vegans focus on whole, minimally processed foods like tofu, beans, and local produce, which are more sustainable and nutritious. The movement can and should evolve to push for better, more ethical options that align with its core values.
Unfortunately, some vegans wish to ban such discussions.
Absolutely. We were enthralled by the pseudo meat and dairy replicas but have reverted to a majority of un or only partially processed fruit n veg. Let’s not forget potatoes and beans are vegan too.
Interesting. The UK perspective is different. Vegan-friendly products are now alongside non-vegan ones. And there are many more products coming to market. They’ve been good margin drivers
That’s a great point! The UK has indeed seen a significant rise in vegan-friendly products, with supermarkets expanding their plant-based offerings. It’s encouraging to see more accessible options driving competition and innovation. This trend shows how demand for ethical, sustainable products can reshape markets globally.
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