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Category: Vegan

  • Illegal, Deadly Drug Clenbuterol Found in Meat From Top Pork Producers

    Federal records just obtained by PETA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveal that meat from the world’s largest pork producers—Virginia-based Smithfield Foods (a Chinese-owned company) and Swift Pork Company—tested positive for clenbuterol, an illegal drug that increases muscle mass in animals and can cause cardiac problems, tremors, and even death in humans. Just last year, hundreds of people in the Mexican state of Yucatán were thought to have fallen ill after ingesting meat laced with clenbuterol, and in 2011, tainted meat from Smithfield owner Shuanghui (now WH Group) sickened 1,700 people and killed one in China.

    The companies had exported the tainted meat from their slaughterhouses in the U.S. to Mexico, where authorities denied entry to the shipments and documented the violation in a memo to the USDA. Following an investigation, the USDA informed Mexican officials that pigs from fairs or shows may have been fed clenbuterol and mixed in with Swift’s “market” hogs, which is illegal since the U.S. only permits the drug for veterinary use in horses. USDA records note that Smithfield management was “unable to provide any monitoring records” to show that the animals they receive are clenbuterol-free.

    “An illegal and dangerous drug in the supply chain of the world’s largest pork producers is one more reason people should stop eating animal products now,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA encourages everyone to choose healthy, clean, ‘green’ vegan foods and spare pigs a lifetime of misery.”

    Most of the 129 million pigs killed for food each year in the U.S. are confined to filthy enclosures so small that they can barely turn around. Workers chop off piglets’ tails, cut their teeth with pliers, and castrate the males—all without pain relief. At slaughterhouses, workers shoot, electrocute, or gas pigs before hanging them upside down and cutting their throats.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Illegal, Deadly Drug Clenbuterol Found in Meat From Top Pork Producers appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Reduction in Meat Consumption Key to Climate Crisis Resolution, Study Finds

    3 Mins Read

    Shifting from high meat consumption to a plant-based diet drastically lowers the environmental harm linked to food production, according to a new climate study on diet and emissions.

    The most extensive study of its kind to date, published in the journal Nature Food, says vegan diets generate 75 percent fewer climate-warming emissions, and diminish water pollution and land usage by 75 percent compared to diets containing more than 100 grams of meat daily.

    The researchers also observed a 66 percent reduction in wildlife destruction and a 54 percent decrease in water consumption with a shift away from animal products.

    The findings

    The damaging effects of meat and dairy consumption on the planet are well-documented, and the new research further makes the case for a substantial reduction in meat intake particularly by the world’s most affluent nations.

    Earlier research into diet and emissions primarily relied on model diets and average impact values of each food category. But the new research, conducted by Oxford University, scrutinized the actual diets of 55,000 U.K. residents. The study incorporated data from 38,000 farms across 119 countries to account for varying environmental impacts of specific foods produced in different methods and regions. This methodology significantly enhances the credibility of the findings.

    mcplant
    Courtesy McDonald’s

    “Our dietary choices have a big impact on the planet,” Oxford University’s Professor Peter Scarborough, the lead author of the research published in Nature Food, said in a statement. “Cutting down the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can make a big difference to your dietary footprint.”

    The study revealed that the contents of the diet carried greater environmental weight than the location or production method. Prior research demonstrated that even the most eco-friendly meat — organic pork — inflicts eight times more climate damage than the most environmentally harmful plant, oilseed.

    The researchers suggested that the U.K. should implement policies promoting a decrease in meat consumption to achieve its climate objectives. Despite previously imposed taxes on high-sugar beverages, government officials have refrained from dictating dietary choices.

    The researchers also found that diets with low meat content (less than 50g per day) halved the environmental impact compared to high-meat diets. However, the disparities among low-meat, pescetarian, and vegetarian diets were relatively minor.

    Recommendations

    The study indicated that in order to attain sustainability in global food production, individuals in wealthier nations would need to drastically curtail their meat and dairy consumption. Technological advancements and reducing food waste alone will not sufficiently minimize the environmental impact of our food system.

    Courtesy TechNode / Jiayi Shi.

    “This is a significant set of findings,” said Professor Neil Ward from the University of East Anglia. “It scientifically reinforces the point made by the Climate Change Committee and the National Food Strategy over recent years that dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a major contribution to reducing the U.K.’s environmental footprint.”

    The researchers noted a significant decrease, 93 percent, in methane emissions, in vegan diets as compared to high-meat diets. Methane is produced by ruminants including cow and sheep. The gas traps 80 times more heat than CO2 in the first 20 years after it is released. Recent research has urged for drastic cuts in methane.

    “To feed a growing global population while remaining within proposed safe environmental boundaries for GHG emissions, land use, water use, water pollution, and biodiversity loss, we will need changes in diets,” the researchers wrote. “Other means to reduce the environmental impact of the food system (for example, technological advances, closing yield gaps, reducing food waste) will not be enough without major dietary change.”

    The post Reduction in Meat Consumption Key to Climate Crisis Resolution, Study Finds first appeared on Green Queen.

    The post Reduction in Meat Consumption Key to Climate Crisis Resolution, Study Finds appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Akua’s Kelp Burgers Get the SpongeBob Treatment to Support Nickelodeon’s Operation Sea Change

    akua
    3 Mins Read


    Akua, the New York-based creator of the “world’s first” kelp burger, has announced a partnership with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants to introduce kid-friendly Kelp Patties.

    The new slider-sized patties, available in Original and BBQ flavors, are designed to make eco-friendly eating more appealing to children. The burgers will be launching in select U.S. retailers and at vegan fast food chain PLNT Burger locations this month.

    “These kid-friendly patties are not only tasty but also contribute to improving the health of little humans,” Courtney Boyd Myers, founder of Akua, said in a statement.

    Nickelodeon’s Operation Sea Change

    The collaboration aligns with Nickelodeon’s recently launched ocean sustainability initiative, Operation Sea Change. By leveraging SpongeBob’s popularity as an ocean-based cartoon character and Akua’s commitment to regenerative ocean-farmed foods, the partnership seeks to make such products more accessible to children. Other brands in the program include Brooklyn’s Conscious Step, Australia’s Munro Footwear, and apparel companies Miami’s Waterlust and California’s Seastra Surf.

    “Since its debut almost 25 years ago, SpongeBob SquarePants has become globally beloved for its contagious optimism and irreverent humor, but at its core the series has always had an intrinsic connection to the sea leading us to launch SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change to help protect the home of the very creatures that inspired Bikini Bottom,” Veronica Hart, Executive Vice President, Global Franchise Planning, Paramount Consumer Products, said of the initiative launch last year. “With this initiative not only are we funding change but reinventing how we do business by creating a connected global effort around sustainability, while also being afforded the opportunity to honor the legacy of the incomparable Stephen Hillenburg, Marine Biologist and SpongeBob SquarePants creator, who was so deeply committed to preserving our oceans and marine life.”

    Akua Burger
    Akua Burger | Courtesy

    Akua, which launched in 2017, specializes in meat and seafood alternatives made with kelp, a highly sustainable and nutrient-rich crop. Kelp requires no fresh water, fertilizer, feed, or arid land to grow, making it a zero-input crop. Akua sources its kelp from a network of ocean farmers along the New England seaboard.

    “Akua’s Kelp Patties offer a delicious and nutritious option for kids while staying true to Akua’s mission of creating great-tasting and planet-friendly food choices,” Myers said. “Crafted from 100 percent sustainable ocean-farmed kelp, these kid-friendly patties are not only tasty but also contribute to improving the health of little humans and the health of our vast oceans.”

    A clean food future

    In 2021, Akua secured $3.2 million in Seed funding from notable investors including inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots, Jerod Mayo, Sir Kensington’s co-founder Brandon Child, and beauty founder Cristina Carlino. Akua is currently raising funds through a crowd equity campaign on Republic.

    Akua Burger
    Akua Burger | Coutesy

    According to Myers, kelp, among other novel ingredients and scaled-back formulations, are the new frontier in plant-based food. “The first wave of plant-based eating was the Boca Burger, beans, and tofu,” she said in 2021 following the company’s Seed raise. “The second wave is Impossible and Beyond, and the third wave is going to be the return to whole foods and clean eating.”

    The post Akua’s Kelp Burgers Get the SpongeBob Treatment to Support Nickelodeon’s Operation Sea Change first appeared on Green Queen.

    The post Akua’s Kelp Burgers Get the SpongeBob Treatment to Support Nickelodeon’s Operation Sea Change appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • After Hearing From PETA, Purple Carrot Ends Contract With Thai Coconut Milk Suppliers

    After hearing from PETA, Purple Carrot is ending its contract with its Thai supplier and switching to coconut milk from Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The change came after PETA informed the vegan meal kit company about how the Thai coconut industry abuses monkeys by chaining them and forcing them to climb trees to pick coconuts.

    purple carrot promotional image with box and various meals and ingredients© Purple Carrot

    From December 2021 to July 2022, PETA Asia conducted its third investigation into Thailand’s coconut industry, in which chained monkeys are forced to spend long hours climbing tall trees and picking heavy coconuts. In response to international criticism following the release of PETA Asia’s two previous investigations, the Thai government and companies that make coconut products have claimed that monkeys are no longer used in the making of exported products. But PETA Asia’s latest investigation confirmed that rampant abuse of primates is still going unchecked—and that Thai coconut industry insiders are deliberately hiding monkey labor in their supply chain.

    If you’re wondering how you can help monkeys used in the coconut industry, the best thing you can do is avoid companies that source canned coconut milk from Thailand. Only buy canned coconut milk from monkey labor–free brands you can find in grocery stores and from meal-delivery companies like Purple Carrot that have made the switch to non-Thai coconut milk.

    Here’s a helpful list of meal-delivery companies that don’t support forced monkey labor:

    *These companies are PETA Business Friends.

    Ⓥ These companies are vegan.

    Order Your FREE Vegan Starter Kit

    Take Action for Chained, Abused Monkeys

    Curious, highly intelligent monkeys are denied mental stimulation, companionship, freedom, and everything else that’s natural and important to them—all so they can be forced to pick coconuts.

    The post After Hearing From PETA, Purple Carrot Ends Contract With Thai Coconut Milk Suppliers appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Fiery Truck Crash Prompts PETA Memorial for Chickens in Hebron

    In honor of the birds who died in agony on Tuesday after a truck carrying them caught fire on Route 50, PETA plans to place a billboard near the crash site pointing out who’s responsible for their deaths: everyone who isn’t vegan.

    “Each of these chickens was an individual who died in terror and pain, engulfed by smoke and flames,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA urges everyone to prevent birds from being crammed into trucks in the first place by taking the easy step of going vegan.”

    Chickens killed for their flesh are crowded by the tens of thousands into filthy sheds and bred to grow such unnaturally large upper bodies that their legs often become crippled under the weight. Those used for egg production are confined to cramped barns, in which each bird has no more than a square foot of space. At the slaughterhouse, their throats are cut, often while they’re still conscious, and many are scalded to death in defeathering tanks.

    Each person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals every year; reduces their own risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity; dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint; and helps prevent future pandemics. SARS, swine flu, bird flu, and COVID-19 all stemmed from confining and killing animals for food.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Fiery Truck Crash Prompts PETA Memorial for Chickens in Hebron appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Locals ‘Scream’ for PETA’s Vegan Ice Cream Giveaway

    To help Arizonans beat record-breaking heat, on Sunday PETA will host a giveaway of Trader Joe’s “Hold the Dairy!” Vegan Chocolate Mini Cones underneath a new sky-high appeal reminding everyone that cows and their calves cry when they’re separated from each other in dairies. The unmissable plea for cows appears just feet away from The Yard Milkshake Bar, where conscientious diners can easily skip the dairy and choose a cookie-topped “No Milk?” milkshake or bowl, vegan soft serve, and a secret Oreo-packed menu item called the Vegan Tuxedo.

    When:    Sunday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.

    Where:    50 W. Jefferson St. (near the intersection with First Avenue), Phoenix

    It’s a fact that doesn’t quite fit in with happy dairy industry promotions, but calves are torn away from their mothers within a day of birth so the milk meant to nourish them can be sold to humans—causing mother cows to cry for days and run after the trucks taking their beloved babies away. A recent study from the University of Copenhagen revealed that cows used for dairy suffer even more throughout their lives than those used for meat.

    “If consumers heard calves screaming for their mothers, they’d scream for vegan ice creams, and, luckily, they’re here!” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA’s giveaway will help locals cool off and give them the scoop on desserts that leave cows in peace.

    As heat records are broken around the world, going vegan is also the smartest decision for a rapidly warming planet: According to the United Nations, about a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food production, and the largest percentage of these emissions come from the dairy and meat industries. A recent study published in the journal Earth System Science Data found that greenhouse gas emissions are at an all-time high, threatening to push the world into “unprecedented” levels of global heating.

    PETA offers a guide to vegan-friendly ice cream chains and a free vegan starter kit on its website. The group—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Locals ‘Scream’ for PETA’s Vegan Ice Cream Giveaway appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Alpha Foods Partners With Just Egg, Improves Its Vegan Chicken Nutrition

    Alpha x Every
    3 Mins Read

    California-based vegan food brands Alpha Foods and Eat Just, have announced a partnership to expand Alpha’s breakfast offerings featuring Just Egg.

    Following its recent partnership with the Anne Hathaway-backed precision fermentation egg producer, The Every Co., Alpha is adding Just Egg, the market leader in the plant-based egg category. Alpha and Eat Just say they will collaborate this fall as part of Alpha’s product renovation plans.

    Alpha Foods, which is available in more than 11,000 retail locations across the U.S., has also announced the integration of new high-moisture extrusion (HME) technology. This renovation is driven by powerful consumer and retailer insights. The company says the new tech will help it produce nutritious, convenient, and accessible products.

    ‘Craveable, convenient, and accessible options’

    “These partnerships with Just Egg and Every Co., combined with our use of our new HME protein and enhanced formulations, will enable us to continue bringing innovative, craveable, and delicious products to our consumers, thus solidifying Alpha’s position as a leader that continues to create the most craveable, convenient, and accessible options in the plant-based market,” Cole Orobetz, CEO of Alpha, said in a statement.

    Alpha Foods' CEO Cole Orobetz
    Alpha Foods’ CEO Cole Orobetz | Courtesy

    According to Orobetz, these partnerships are key to Alpha’s growth and contribute to “raising awareness about the continuous innovation needed within the plant-based category.”

    He says the company is committed to empowering consumers to transition into plant-based eating while showcasing the positive impacts on their health, animal welfare, and the environment, “all without feeling restricted by food labels.”

    Improving taste, texture, nutrition

    So far, Alpha has introduced the HME technology for processing its plant-based Chik’n Strips, which the company says cook, shred, and taste just like their animal-based counterparts. The HME technology utilizes a specialized cooking and stirring method at high heat and pressure, resulting in products with fewer ingredients, higher protein content, lower carbohydrates, and fewer calories.

    alpha nuggets
    Alpha nuggets | Courtey

    The company’s Homestyle Chik’n Strips offer 18g protein, 7g carbohydrates, and 160 calories per serving. Alpha has also introduced the Chik’n & Maple Waffle Sandwich, a plant-based twist on a brunch classic, with more additions to its product portfolio scheduled for launch later this year.

    As part of Alpha’s evolution, the brand is renovating its core product portfolio with formulation changes that provide an enhanced eating experience packed with nutrition at an accessible price point. Formulation updates include Alpha’s All-Day Burritos, which will now incorporate the new HME protein and increased nutritional value.

    Alpha’s Original Chik’n Nuggets and Alpha’s Crispy Chik’n Patties, two of the company’s most popular products, will also undergo a formulation refresh that enhances the texture and flavor of the products.

    The post Alpha Foods Partners With Just Egg, Improves Its Vegan Chicken Nutrition first appeared on Green Queen.

    The post Alpha Foods Partners With Just Egg, Improves Its Vegan Chicken Nutrition appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Coconut Cloud May Unknowingly Be Supporting Monkey Labor in Thailand

    The post Coconut Cloud May Unknowingly Be Supporting Monkey Labor in Thailand appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • South Korea’s Armored Fresh Debuts Oat Milk Cheese Slices That Rival Conventional

    armored fresh oat slices
    2 Mins Read

    The South Korean food tech pioneer, Armored Fresh, has announced the launch of Oat Milk Cheese slices, marking another milestone in its mission to disrupt the dairy industry.

    Armored Fresh says it has successfully crafted the first commercially available oat milk cheese slices. The South Korean company, which raised $23 million last year, says its latest product expands on the brand’s dairy-free cheese offerings, which currently includes its popular American-style slices.

    The company says its new oat milk slices replicate the distinct sharp, salty, and nutty flavors commonly associated with dairy cheese. The cheese slices are available for food service partnerships within New York, but there are plans in the pipeline to increase availability across a range of states, retailers, and direct-to-consumer markets.

    ‘Delicious products everyone can enjoy’

    “It’s our mission to prioritize consumers’ well being by creating delicious products that everyone can enjoy, which is why expanding into oat milk to provide a dairy-free option to give consumers a wider variety to choose from was a clear next step,” Armored Fresh’s CEO and Founder, Rudy Yoo said in a statement.

    Armored slices
    Courtesy Armored

    “We’ve worked extensively with our R&D team to create an option that rivals traditional dairy cheese and are excited to expand our food service partnerships with this new offering,” Yoo said.

    The product development phase saw Armored Fresh’s R&D team conduct multiple trials to perfect the recipe. The result is a dairy-free cheese that authentically recreates the creamy texture and unique taste of dairy cheese. This oat milk cheese does not include any soy, gluten, dairy, preservatives, or artificial flavors.

    Armored Fresh began its roll-out at U.S. Kroger stores last month. Its Almond Milk Cubes and American Slices debuted in select stores.

    Building a better cheese

    Improving the nutrition profile of plant-based dairy is a core focus, according to Daniel Yang, Armored Fresh’s U.S. sales manager. He told Food Navigator in May that the company is working to increase the plant-based protein per slice from its current 1 gram per serving to as much as 15 to 20 grams of protein, among other benefits.

    Armored Fresh almond cheese is expanding in the U.S.
    Armored Fresh almond cheese is expanding in the U.S. | Courtesy

    “Potentially, we could supplement vitamins, probiotics, and even there’s talk about maybe we can get into nutraceuticals where people are eating for medicine rather than taking medicine on the side,” Yang said.

    The post South Korea’s Armored Fresh Debuts Oat Milk Cheese Slices That Rival Conventional first appeared on Green Queen.

    The post South Korea’s Armored Fresh Debuts Oat Milk Cheese Slices That Rival Conventional appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Polar Bears to Visit Starbuck’s CEO’s Home with “Methane’s Killing My Home, Too” Message Over Pro-Dairy Policy

    On Thursday, costumed “polar bears” will descend on Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan’s house in Clyde Hill to appeal to him to stop harming their arctic habitat by charging customers extra for vegan milk. They’ll point out that the surcharge incentivizes customers to opt for dairy milk, even though the industry is a top producer of the greenhouse gases that are melting the ice caps, killing the polar bears, and contributing to catastrophic and irreversible global heating. The pleading “bears” are the latest action in PETA’s campaign calling on Starbucks to stop charging customers extra for vegan milks, which prevent day-old calves from being torn away from their mothers and—as Starbucks already agrees—are better for the planet.

    When:    Thursday, July 20, 5:30 p.m.

    “Starbucks admits it has a massive carbon footprint from its use of dairy, yet the company still refuses to put planet over profits,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on Starbucks to give a frap about the polar bears who are dying on melting icecaps, not to mention the cows who are forcibly impregnated on dairy farms, and end Starbucks’ shameful surcharge on vegan milks.”

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or abuse in any other way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview.

    For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Polar Bears to Visit Starbuck’s CEO’s Home with “Methane’s Killing My Home, Too” Message Over Pro-Dairy Policy appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Frankmobile Feud: PETA ‘Cow’ to Put a Face to Oscar Mayer Wieners

    A “cow” mascot will lead a herd of PETA supporters in giving away free vegan hot dogs to moove people away from the Oscar Mayer Frankmobile during its appearance at the National Hot Dog Day Celebration at Halcyon on Thursday. Unlike tubes of ground-up animal flesh and other processed meats, which are linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes in children, veggie dogs and other vegan foods leave animals in peace and contain no saturated animal fat or cholesterol. The bovine buddy will also offer hugs and photo ops to kids and families.

    When:    Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m.

    Where:    Outside The Original Hot Dog Factory, 6330 Halcyon Way., Ste. 770 (near the intersection with Ronald Reagan Boulevard), Alpharetta

    “Oscar Mayer franks are bad for kids and even worse for cows, who are branded, castrated, confined to filthy feedlots, and killed,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is encouraging everyone to steer clear of the Frankmobile to protect animals and their family’s health.”

    Earlier this year, PETA offered to maintain the Oscar Mayer vehicle for one year and replace its stolen catalytic converter if the company converted it to a vegan hot dog mobile, noting that the global market for vegan hot dogs grew by a whopping 20% last year and is projected to reach a market value of $1.99 billion by 2032.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers free vegan starter kits for anyone looking to make the switch.

    For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Frankmobile Feud: PETA ‘Cow’ to Put a Face to Oscar Mayer Wieners appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • That Cheese Pairing Isn’t Worth It: PETA Shakes Up Local Wine Country With New TV Spot

    Wine drinkers may find it hard to swallow the cheeses on their charcuterie boards after a crying calf crashes their date with MasterChef this week to drive home the true cost of dairy.

    In the 15-second spot, which will hit local airwaves during the cooking show, a customer wants to know how much a wedge of cheese will cost—and the calf, chained up behind the shop’s register and swarming with flies, has the answer: “Too much.” The computer-generated calf is ear-tagged with the name and number of an actual calf in a photograph sent to PETA by a whistleblower at Daisy Farms in Paris, Texas. The group’s subsequent undercover investigation revealed that despite the dairy company’s claims to the contrary, cows crammed inside massive, filthy sheds were kicked, whipped, or jabbed and calves were separated from their mothers just after birth and force-fed, one fatally.

    “We can all live without dairy cheese, but calves need the milk that’s meant to nourish them, not us,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA reminds everyone that there’s a delicious vegan cheese to pair with any wine, including the vino from Texas Wine Country.”

    In the dairy industry, the milk that mother cows produce to sustain their calves is funneled onto grocery store shelves for human consumption. Meanwhile, traumatized male calves are slaughtered for veal and female calves eventually take their mothers’ place: They’re restrained, forcibly impregnated again and again, and used as milk machines until their bodies break down and they’re sent to slaughter.

    Every person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals each year daily suffering and terrifying deaths and avoids all the artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat found in dairy cheese. PETA’s free vegan starter kit can help those looking to make the switch.

    PETA’s spot will air during MasterChef on Wednesday, July 19, at 7 p.m.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or abuse in any other way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post That Cheese Pairing Isn’t Worth It: PETA Shakes Up Local Wine Country With New TV Spot appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • PETA’s New ‘Lettuce Lady’ Is … Barbie?!

    It’s Barbie’s Dreamworld—for animals! With the release of the much-anticipated Barbie coming soon, PETA is releasing its own line of pro-animal clothing and accessories for Barbie and Ken, available for purchase at the PETA Shop.

    For an icon like Barbie, only a statement piece will do, so PETA fashioned her a dress out of luscious “leafy greens” (accessorized with a lollipop sign reading, “Go Vegan”) that will have her joining the ranks of PETA’s own icons the internationally beloved “Lettuce Ladies.” For Ken—whose job in the movie is revealed to be simply “beach”—the group has designed a handy “trash fishing” getup that will help him get to work on the seashore, featuring a shirt proclaiming, “Fish Are Friends, Not Food,” and a grabber to pick up trash like the included water bottle. And last, anyone who purchased one of Mattel’s Barbie Farm Playsets can now give it an idyllic, animal-friendly upgrade, courtesy of a sign reading, “Sanctuary,” and a T-shirt for Barbie showing a cute chick and the message “Not a Nugget.”

    “From keeping meat, eggs, and dairy off our plates to catching litter instead of sea life, there are so many ways to be a doll for animals,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is encouraging everyone to wake up and see the sparkle in making kind choices that improve the world for everyone.”

    Each person who goes vegan saves the lives of nearly 200 animals a year, lowers their carbon footprint, and increases their chances of longevity, as eating animal-derived foods has been linked to a higher risk of diabetes, certain types of cancer, obesity, and many other ailments. And by “fishing” for trash in local waterways, everyone can help protect aquatic animals from ingesting plastic, becoming entangled in fishing line, and suffering terribly when their sensitive mouths are impaled by hooks.

    PETA—whose motto is “Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post PETA’s New ‘Lettuce Lady’ Is … Barbie?! appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • PETA’s Pitch to the Chicago Cubs: Score a Home Run With a Vegan Mascot Race

    As the Chicago Cubs prepare to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game series, PETA sent a letter today to Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, urging him to go to bat for animals and lots of fans who feel left out in left field by adding a pro-vegan mascot race to the team’s home games. To sweeten the deal, PETA is offering to supply the new mascots, including Cub, a cube of tofu; Red, a hale and hearty carrot; and Short Stalk, a spirited stalk of celery. PETA notes that the animal-friendly mascots would level the playing field between the Cubs and the Cardinals, a team with its own mascot race that largely promotes animal agriculture.

    “A vegan-inclusive mascot race is just the ticket to rev up the Cubs’ home base and modernize America’s favorite pastime,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “We’re eager to see the Cubs continue this beloved baseball tradition with the meat-free mascots appreciated by Wrigley Field’s increasingly vegan crowds.”

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    PETA’s letter to Hoyer follows.

    Jed Hoyer
    President, Baseball Operations
    Chicago Cubs

    Dear Mr. Hoyer:

    Greetings! I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, including thousands in Illinois. We have a pitch we hope you’ll like as a way to score a home run for animals while adopting a modern take on a popular baseball tradition. Will you please add a vegan mascot race to your home games? PETA would gladly supply mascots—such as Cub, a cube of tofu; Red, a tall and hearty carrot; and Short Stalk, a stalk of celery—to get the races running.

    I assure you that our request isn’t coming out of left field. Way back in 2013, Wrigley Field was ranked among our top 10 vegetarian-friendly ballparks, and the number of vegans in the U.S. has risen by 3,000% over the last 15 years. Tofu sales grew by 40% during the pandemic, and the global tofu market is projected to expand significantly in coming years—which is great news for Illinois soybean farmers. Whether for ethical, environmental, or health-related reasons, 62% of Americans now purchase vegan foods in place of meat and dairy and 65% of Gen Zers want a more plant-based diet.

    A vegan mascot race would also rival the Cardinals’ “Race to the Plate,” which largely promotes animal agriculture. While that team has a soybean mascot, a tofu one for yours would represent Illinois soybean farmers who grow food-grade crops and support Chicago-based tofu makers. And since raising animals for food is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land degradation, your fresh veggie mascots would represent how growing (and going) vegan is a wonderful way to mitigate the climate catastrophe—something younger fans increasingly care about.

    There’s another compelling reason to support vegan eating: Our understanding of other species has evolved. Pigs, cows, and other animals are sentient beings who enjoy life, form strong bonds with others, and experience pain and fear—just like baseball players. Yet the millions of animals who are killed in the U.S. every year endure extreme crowding and routine mutilations before they’re sent on a terrifying journey to the slaughterhouse. Since the Cardinals’ “farm team” celebrates this exploitation with characters such as “the Baconeer” and Benny the Bull, we hope you’ll step up to the plate and outdo them with a mascot race everyone can cheer for.

    Thank you for your time and consideration—I look forward to hearing from you. Best of luck this season!

    Very truly yours,

    Ingrid Newkirk
    President

    The post PETA’s Pitch to the Chicago Cubs: Score a Home Run With a Vegan Mascot Race appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Where Can You Try Subway’s New Teriyaki Veg Sandwich?

    At nearly 800 Subway locations in Mexico, you can now order a sandwich stacked with animal-free protein. The Teriyaki Veg sandwich, a meatless version of the chain’s popular Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki sub, features vegan chicken made from peas, rice, and broad beans that’s smothered in a sweet and tangy sauce. We’re thrilled to see Subway launch an option that spares the lives of countless chickens, who are playful, intelligent individuals who don’t want to die to be on a sandwich.

    Subway México's vegan Teriyaki Veg sandwich prmotional image on a green background© Subway México

    Like other offerings at Subway, you can customize the Teriyaki Veg with your favorite toppings and sauces, like olives, jalapeños, avocado, mustard, and Subway vinaigrette.

    The sandwich, created as a collaboration between Subway México and EligeVeg (“ChooseVeg” in English), is just one example of the chain’s effort to include new vegan options at locations worldwide—even while it fails to do so in the U.S.

    Subway U.K. has offered several sandwiches with animal-friendly proteins and cheeses, including the Plant-based Steak, the Meatless Meatball Marinara, the T.L.C. (Tastes Like Chicken), and the P.I.B. (Plants in Blanket), a limited-time holiday offering that featured vegan sausage wrapped in pig-free bacon.

    While the Veggie Delite sub is still a vegan staple stateside, the chain hasn’t tested another animal-free meat option since the Beyond Meatball Marinara sandwich in 2019. We hope Subway brings menu items like the Teriyaki Veg to stores in the U.S., where consumers are increasingly choosing to eat vegan for the benefit of animals, the planet, and their own health.

    Want to learn more about how to order vegan at your favorite chain restaurants? Our guide can help:

    The post Where Can You Try Subway’s New Teriyaki Veg Sandwich? appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Cruise Ship Passengers Sickened by Sight of Gruesome ‘Grindadráp’ in Faroe Islands

    The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland, are the location of the grindadráp—an annual mass slaughter of pilot whales and white-sided dolphins. Every year, up to 1,000 of these animals are driven into a bay by boats, metal hooks are inserted into their blowholes, and ropes are used to drag them alive to near the shore, where their spinal cords are slashed with a spear or knife. A U.K.-based cruise line recently publicly apologized to passengers aboard one of its ships who bore witness to this bloody event.

    cetacean carcasses lay in bloody water during the gruesome “grindadráp” in the Faroe Islands

    Because of incidents such as these, the grindadráp is courting negative attention and driving tourists away from the Faroe Islands. If the government there is keen to attract visitors, the gruesome grindadráp must be replaced with an activity that respects dolphins and pilot whales and allows them to live free in their natural home.

    And the killings in the Faroe Islands during the grindadráp are just a drop in the bucket.

    An estimated 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die globally each year after being injured by fishing nets or lines.

    In the fishing industry, whales are callously referred to as “bycatch”—a speciesist euphemism for animals who are caught or become tangled in fishing nets or other fishing gear and are then discarded and left to die.

    Studies show that more than half of some species of large whales have been entangled in abandoned fishing gear at some point in their lives. In many cases, these victims may spend their final moments desperately struggling to free themselves until they die of exhaustion, starvation, suffocation, strangulation, dismemberment, or other injuries.

    Entanglement in fishing gear continues to be the leading cause of death for North Atlantic right whales—one of the most endangered large whale species, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining. Since 2017, 50 of these whales have been reported dead or seriously injured. Those individuals make up more than 10% of the total population.

    The vast majority of whales who become entangled in fishing gear aren’t even detected.

    Whales who survive their initial entanglements with fishing gear but are left severely injured are likely to die within three years, and females who survive have much lower birth rates and longer intervals between calving than those who haven’t been entangled.

    Commercial fishing is detrimental to the ocean and all the species that inhabit it. Let’s turn the tide against this destructive industry.

    Go Vegan to Save the Whales!

    No animal deserves to be trapped in fishing nets and killed for food or discarded and left to die.

    Save the whales with whale tail caught in net

    Whales, fish, crustaceans, and other animals need our help. To help protect marine life, don’t support the cruel fishing industry. Go vegan to save the whales today:

    The post Cruise Ship Passengers Sickened by Sight of Gruesome ‘Grindadráp’ in Faroe Islands appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • ‘Leather Is Lethal’: PETA Makes Vegan Plea to Save the Planet

    Following the Big Apple’s recent record-setting heat, a new PETA wallscape in the Gowanus neighborhood puts leather production under fire for contributing to the climate catastrophe, urging New Yorkers to ditch accessories and clothing made from the skins of slaughtered animals.

    “Rainforests are being burned to the ground, pumping more carbon into the atmosphere and warming our planet, all to make space for cows, who lead short, miserable lives before they’re killed for leather bags and shoes,” says PETA Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA urges everyone to choose sustainable vegan materials that are kind to the planet and leave animals in peace.”

    Animal agriculture—which includes the leather industry, a major part of meat and dairy profit margins—is responsible for nearly one-fifth of all human-induced greenhouse-gas emissions. The World Bank reports that cattle ranching has caused over 80% of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest since 1970, and because of fires—many of which are deliberately set to clear land to raise cows and grow crops to feed them—along with hotter temperatures and droughts, parts of the Amazon are now emitting more carbon dioxide than they can absorb.

    In addition, turning skin into leather requires significant energy and dangerous chemicals, including formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives, and cyanide-based oils, dyes, and finishes. Sustainable vegan leather made from apples, cork, corn, grapes, mushrooms, paper, pineapples, soy, or tea mimics the properties of leather without the cruelty to animals or environmental devastation.

    The billboard is located at the corner of Third Avenue and Ninth Street in Brooklyn.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post ‘Leather Is Lethal’: PETA Makes Vegan Plea to Save the Planet appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! Doggystyle Scores National Award for Vegan Dog

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and the Gulf Coast’s own Doggystyle has won a top spot for its deliciously craveable vegan dog, the Chicago Hot.

    Doggystyle—owned by Steve DiBartolomeo and Melissa Penry—offers customers the option to build their own scrumptious vegan dog with a wide array of topping choices, including hot pepper relish, sauerkraut, red onion sauce, and sport peppers. The award-winning Chicago Hot is a fan-favorite Field Roast vegan dog topped with hot pepper relish, yellow mustard, red onion, diced pickle, diced tomato, a sport pepper, and celery salt.

    “The Chicago Hot brings the heat to a summertime classic and is the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    Doggystyle will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Rad Dawg at Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck (Portland, Maine), the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Café (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Buffalo Blu at Sporty Dog Creations (Baltimore), the Vegan Italian Warsaw at The Wienery (Minneapolis), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Vegan at Wiener Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas), and the Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg at Chilly Dawgz (Thomasville, Pennsylvania).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! Doggystyle Scores National Award for Vegan Dog appeared first on PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! Wiener Kitchen Scores National Award for Vegan Dog

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and Overland Park’s own Wiener Kitchen has won a top spot for its deliciously craveable Vegan.

    Owner-operators Dave Derr and Jessica Rush started their first wiener venture, the mobile Wiener Wagon, in 2012, and the Wiener Kitchen opened in its permanent location in the Library Shops in Overland Park in 2017. Their award-winning Vegan is a savory link made of roasted cauliflower, walnut, and wild rice and topped with green tomato relish, pickled Brussels kraut, and whole-grain Dijon mustard.

    “The Vegan is a tangy, veggie-packed twist on a summertime classic and the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    Wiener Kitchen will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Rad Dawg at Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck (Portland, Maine), the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Cafe (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Buffalo Blu at Sporty Dog Creations (Baltimore), the Vegan Italian Warsaw at The Wienery (Minneapolis), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Chicago Hot at Doggystyle (Sarasota, Florida), and the Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg at Chilly Dawgz (Thomasville, Pennsylvania).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! Wiener Kitchen Scores National Award for Vegan Dog appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Meati Foods Taps AI to Improve the Health Benefits of Mushroom Meat

    3 Mins Read

    Colorado-based mycelium meat producer Meati Foods has announced a collaboration with Artificial Intelligence company PIPA to expedite its comprehension of the health and nutrition benefits of its nutrient-rich products.

    The new collaboration follows the establishment of the Meati Science Advisory Board (MSAB), which comprises health, nutrition, and protein experts from the University of California, Davis.

    The partnership is aimed at not only enhancing Meati’s understanding of the health benefits of its existing products but also identifying possibilities for new products that leverage the taste, nutrition, and sustainability advantages of their core ingredient, mycelium, commonly known as “mushroom root.”

    Improving the health of ‘everyone at the family dinner table’

    “When founding Meati and unpacking what it would take to achieve global-scale impact on our food system, the requirements were monumental: It had to be a delicious, whole-food solution plucked from nature, rapidly scalable and, critically, hyper-nutritious,” Dr. Justin Whiteley, Meati Foods’ co-founder and chief science officer, said in a statement. “AI is the perfect tool to help accelerate our understanding of exactly why including Meati products can improve the health of everyone at the family dinner table, and I can’t imagine pursuing this research without a world-class AI partner like PIPA.”

    Courtesy Meati Foods

    Meati says its products, which contain a complete protein (PDCAAS 1.0), are expected to positively impact heart health, digestion, the immune system, and blood glucose levels.

    “Fungi, including mushrooms and their mycelium root-like structures, have a long history of enhancing the nutritional quality of diets in many cultures,” said Dr. Roberta Holt, a member of the UC Davis Department of Nutrition. “Working with the unique AI capabilities of PIPA provides us an unprecedented opportunity to advance our scientific understanding of how fungi-based products such as Meati can provide sustainable nutrition to benefit public health.”

    Machine learning for better meat

    According to Eric Hamborg, chief commercial officer for PIPA, the research is in PIPA’s “sweet spot of accelerating what’s possible at the intersection of food, nutrition and health,” he said. “We look forward to supporting Meati’s efforts to better understand how their unique star ingredient can benefit people’s health and improve nutrition now and in the future.”

    Courtesy Meati

    AI is being used by a number of key players in the alternative protein space. Chile’s NotCo has notably worked with machine learning to unlock ingredients for its vegan products that include a co-branded range with Kraft Heinz. Bay Area vegan cheese producer Climax Foods is also leveraging AI to develop its high-end cheeses, including a co-branded partnership with the Bel Group.

    Meati’s AI announcement comes after big news for the brand last month: former MLB All-Star Derek Jeter invested in Meati, bringing its total funding to date to more than $250 million. Meati’s debut product line, Eat Meati, is currently sold in various grocery stores and eateries across the U.S. and has recently collaborated with food service redistributor DOT Foods. The product line won VegNews’ Best in Show award at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, Calif., last March.

    The post Meati Foods Taps AI to Improve the Health Benefits of Mushroom Meat first appeared on Green Queen.

    The post Meati Foods Taps AI to Improve the Health Benefits of Mushroom Meat appeared first on Green Queen.

    This post was originally published on Green Queen.

  • Should Hospitals Be Serving Meat When Vegan Food Heals?

    Why are some of the unhealthiest meals being served to the sickest people? A rejected PETA U.K. ad highlighted the hypocrisy of the U.K.’s National Health Service for allowing bacon, sausages, and other meats to be served to hospital patients when it’s been proved that eating animal flesh is more likely to lead to serious health conditions.

    text at top reads "Still serving meat? How about a cigarette, too" with image in the middle of a plate on a hospital food tray with cigarettes and meat sausages. The text below reads "Eating processed meat increases cancer risk. NHS, go vegan."

    The same thing is happening in hospitals across the U.S., where meals laden with animal-derived saturated fats, salt, added sugars, and cholesterol are being served to patients in hospital beds and in cafeterias. In some American hospitals, you can find fast-food restaurants with no healthy vegan options on the menu—for example, a McDonald’s inside Tampa General Hospital and a Chick-fil-A in the Detroit Medical Center.

    Vegan food is medicine. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics states that vegans have a lower risk of death from heart disease, lower blood cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, lower body mass indexes, and lower rates of cancer, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. So it makes sense that hospitals should serve healthy vegan food if they want to help patients heal.

    Order Your FREE Vegan Starter Kit

    Improving health isn’t the only reason patients should go vegan. The lives of animals used for food are cut short and they’re treated like objects in the meat, egg, and dairy industries. When you go vegan, you take a stand against these exploitative industries.

    group of pigs in pen

    Forward-Thinking Institutions Are Turning the Tide

    Some institutions are realizing the importance of feeding patients healthy meals. All 11 New York City hospitals serve vegan meals as the default option in order to encourage people to make healthier choices that also save animals.

    Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital, and National Jewish Health/Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver are just a few of the institutions nationwide that offer animal-free meals and encourage patients to ditch meat for their health. Santa Clara Valley Healthcare in California introduced a vegan food program, Universal Meals, which focuses on preventive medicine through food, and it’s even available in hospital cafeterias for employees and visitors.

    The Cardiac Wellness Program at Montefiore Medical Center in New York helps patients who have been diagnosed with heart or blood vessel disease reduce their cholesterol and blood pressure, lose weight, improve their energy, and even reverse type 2 diabetes. The outpatient program, a whole-foods, plant-based nutrition plan, has had such success that the hospital introduced vegan meals for inpatients and plays the documentary Forks Over Knives in hospital rooms to teach patients about how animal-free eating can help them get and stay healthy.plate of fresh spring rolls with a bowl of peanut sauce in the middle

    Don’t gamble with your health—go vegan today, and urge hospitals to do so, too. By making the change, you’ll also be saving the lives of countless chickens, fish, pigs, cows, and other animals who don’t want to die to end up on your plate.

    The post Should Hospitals Be Serving Meat When Vegan Food Heals? appeared first on PETA.

  • Locals to Give a Scream for PETA’s Vegan Ice Cream Giveaway

    Amid the dairy industry’s attempt to rebrand July as National Ice Cream Month, on Friday PETA will host a giveaway of Trader Joe’s Hold the Dairy! Vegan Chocolate Mini Cones beneath the group’s new sky-high appeal reminding everyone that animals used for their milk eventually go to slaughter and calves in the dairy industry are stolen from their mothers within a day of birth.

    When:    Friday, July 14, 2 p.m.

    Where:    3774 W. Broad St. (near the intersection with Viotis Drive), Columbus

    “Vegan ice cream is refreshing on a hot day and comes with none of the cruelty or cholesterol of dairy,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA’s giveaway will give everyone the scoop on delicious desserts that let calves stay with their mothers.”

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Locals to Give a Scream for PETA’s Vegan Ice Cream Giveaway appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! Chilly Dawgz Scores National ‘Top Vegan Dog’ Award for Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and local eatery Chilly Dawgz won a top spot for its deliciously craveable Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg.

    Chilly Dawgz—owned by Angie and Chris Wooters, Mary Rush, and Shaun Clem—dishes up an array of gourmet vegan dog offerings, including its classic Vegan Dawggie and its Vegan Chicago Dawggie, complete with bright green Chicago relish and Chicago sport peppers. The award-winning Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg consists of a flavorful animal-free frank heaped with house-made chili and a liberal scattering of vegan cheese shreds.

    “The Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg is a chill twist on a summertime classic and the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    Chilly Dawgz will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Rad Dawg at Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck (Portland, Maine), the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Cafe (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Buffalo Blu at Sporty Dog Creations (Baltimore), the Vegan Italian Warsaw at The Wienery (Minneapolis), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Chicago Hot at Doggystyle (Sarasota, Florida), and the Vegan at Wiener Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! Chilly Dawgz Scores National ‘Top Vegan Dog’ Award for Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • T-Town Nets a Whale of a Warning From PETA

    A new message from PETA is making waves for ferry commuters by compelling them to consider the hidden costs of their fish fillets: The giant image points out that fish aren’t the only victims of the fishing industry—millions of other animals, known as “bycatch,” also die on its hooks and in its nets every year.

    “Dolphins, sea turtles, birds, sharks, and other animals are all collateral damage to fishers and big trawlers alike,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA urges conscientious consumers to leave all animals off their plates, for the sake of animals and the planet.”

    PETA notes that the killing of bycatch is one of the biggest threats to marine biodiversity worldwide and has resulted in widespread species extinction, habitat destruction, and irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems. The fishing industry is also terribly cruel to its intended victims: More fish are killed for food each year than all other animals combined. Fish feel pain as acutely as mammals do, have long-term memories, and sing underwater—yet they’re impaled, crushed, suffocated, dropped into pots of boiling water, or cut open and gutted, all while conscious.

    The ad appears on a ferry docking at Point Defiance Ferry Terminal on N. Pearl Street.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” and which opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview—offers a free vegan starter kit to help people get hooked on vegan food. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post T-Town Nets a Whale of a Warning From PETA appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! The Wienery Scores National Award for Vegan Italian Warsaw Dog

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and the Twin Cities’ own The Wienery has won a top spot for its deliciously craveable Vegan Italian Warsaw.

    The Wienery—owned by Pat and KJ Starr—can swap a tofu dog, vegan Italian sausage, or vegan brat into almost any of its mouthwatering menu offerings, from the Maxwell Street with fried onions, green peppers, and sport peppers to the Briny Dog smothered in sauerkraut, pickles, and spicy giardiniera sauce. The award-winning Vegan Italian Warsaw is a fan favorite vegan Italian sausage topped with sauerkraut and Dusseldorf mustard.

    “The Vegan Italian Warsaw is a tangy twist on an Old World classic and the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    The Wienery will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Rad Dawg at Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck (Portland, Maine), the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Cafe (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Buffalo Blu at Sporty Dog Creations (Baltimore), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Chicago Hot at Doggystyle (Sarasota, Florida), the Vegan at Wiener Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas), and the Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg at Chilly Dawgz (Thomasville, Pennsylvania).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! The Wienery Scores National Award for Vegan Italian Warsaw Dog appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Bull Shot Repeatedly at Local Slaughterhouse; PETA Seeks Kill-Floor Cameras

    Following a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report documenting that a bull remained conscious after being shot in the head repeatedly at Modern Heritage Wholesome Foods near Ocala, PETA fired off a letter this morning to the facility’s owner, Robert Hernandez, calling on him to livestream video footage from the slaughterhouse to help prevent additional egregious violations of law.

    On June 21, a worker shot the bull with a captive-bolt gun but the animal remained standing and staring at employees. The worker then fired into him four more times before a sixth blast with a pistol finally knocked the bull down and ended his suffering.

    “This animal endured an agonizing five shots to the head before the worker finally rendered him insensible to pain with a sixth shot,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on this facility to livestream its slaughter operations publicly and reminds everyone that the only humane meal is a vegan one.”

    PETA has also asked Hernandez to report the employee involved in the incident to local law-enforcement officials and reassign that individual to a position that doesn’t involve having contact with live animals.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    PETA’s letter to Hernandez follows.

    July 12, 2023

    Robert Hernandez

    Owner

    Modern Heritage Wholesome Foods

    Dear Mr. Hernandez:

    Given the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report detailing the prolonged death of a bull who remained conscious and standing after one of your employees shot him in the head five times at Modern Heritage Wholesome Foods, we ask that you immediately change operations there in the hope of reducing animal suffering in your slaughterhouse.

    In light of the egregious pain and terror that your staff have caused this bull in violation of federal law, will you please stop slaughtering cows? Rather than risking further, similar violations, you could focus on minimizing the stress and suffering of the other farmed animals you slaughter.

    Will you please publicly livestream video from all areas of your facility where live animals are handled? Workers would take their duty to handle animals lawfully more seriously if they knew that caring people were watching. As the world’s foremost expert on livestock welfare, Dr. Temple Grandin, writes, “Plants [t]hat are doing a good job should show what they are doing.” Your industry often complains that today’s consumers don’t understand how animals are raised and killed for food. You could help by enabling us to observe your workers moving countless individual animals—who value their lives as we value ours—off crowded trucks in all weather, attempting to stun them, slashing or sticking their throats, and bleeding them to death.

    At the very least, will you reassign your staff referenced in the federal report to a job that doesn’t involve having contact with any live animals—such as evisceration, butchering, and packaging—and report the involved personnel to your local law-enforcement agency for investigation for possible violation of the state’s anti-cruelty statute?

    Thanks for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Colin Henstock

    Investigations Project Manager

    The post Bull Shot Repeatedly at Local Slaughterhouse; PETA Seeks Kill-Floor Cameras appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Frankmobile Feud: PETA to Serve Vegan Food for Thought at Oscar Mayer Appearance

    “Meat is murder!” That’s the message PETA supporters will bring to the Oscar Mayer Frankmobile’s appearance at BJ’s on Friday as they remind passersby that cows feel pain and terror just as people do and to spare animals—and human health—suffering by eating vegan foods.

    When:    Friday, July 14, 10 a.m.

    Where:    Outside BJ’s Wholesale Club, 1677 Home Ave., Akron

    “Oscar Mayer franks are bad for humans and even worse for cows, who are branded, castrated, confined to filthy feedlots, and killed,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is encouraging everyone to go vegan and steer clear of the Frankmobile to protect animals and their family’s health.”

    At slaughterhouses, workers shoot cows in the head with a captive-bolt gun, hang them up by one leg, and cut their throat—often while they’re still conscious. Each person who goes vegan saves nearly 200 animals every year; reduces their own risk of suffering from cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and obesity; and dramatically shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA points out that the global market for vegan hot dogs grew by a whopping 20% last year and is projected to reach a market value of $1.99 billion by 2032.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers free vegan starter kits for anyone looking to make the switch.

    For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Frankmobile Feud: PETA to Serve Vegan Food for Thought at Oscar Mayer Appearance appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! ‘Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck’ Scores National Award for Rad Dawg

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and Portland’s own Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck has won a top spot for its deliciously craveable Rad Dawg.

    The food truck—owned by chef Tony DiPhillipo—offers a mouthwatering fully vegan menu with multiple styles of dogs, from the 80’s Drive-In Dawg topped with ketchup, mustard, pickles, and minced onions to the Korean Street Dawg smothered in Korean BBQ baked beans, house-made spicy Asian slaw, scallions, and Sriracha drizzle. The award-winning Rad Dawg is a fan-favorite charbroiled vegan frank topped with sauerkraut and house-made Bavarian mustard on a grilled sub.

    “The Rad Dawg is a tasty twist on a summertime classic and the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    The Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Cafe (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Buffalo Blu at Sporty Dog Creations (Baltimore), the Vegan Italian Warsaw at The Wienery (Minneapolis), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Chicago Hot at Doggystyle (Sarasota, Florida), the Vegan at Wiener Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas), and the Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg at Chilly Dawgz (Thomasville, Pennsylvania).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! ‘Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck’ Scores National Award for Rad Dawg appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.

  • Be the Greatest of All Time: Take Action for Goats

    The post Be the Greatest of All Time: Take Action for Goats appeared first on PETA.

  • Hot Diggity! Sporty Dog Creations Scores National Award for Vegan Buffalo Blu Dog

    PETA scoured the country for the Top 10 Vegan Dogs that kick meaty dogs’ buns—and Charm City’s own Sporty Dog Creations has won a top spot for its deliciously craveable Vegan Buffalo Blu.

    Sporty Dog Creations—owned by mother-daughter duo LaShauna Jones and Daejonne Bennett—can swap a vegan dog into almost any of its mouthwatering menu offerings, from the Pineapple Express Dog with grilled pineapples, carrots, and caramelized onions to the Baltimore Black Sox Dog loaded with black-eyed pea chili. The award-winning Vegan Buffalo Blu is a fan favorite vegan dog topped with Buffalo jackfruit, caramelized onions, and vegan blu cheese.

    “The Vegan Buffalo Blu is a hot and tangy twist on a summertime classic and the perfect animal-friendly answer to any comfort food craving,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the award wieners on PETA’s national Top 10 list prove that compassion is a delicious business.”

    Sporty Dog Creations will receive a framed certificate from PETA in honor of its culinary achievement. The other top dogs receiving the group’s recognition are the Rad Dawg at Totally Awesome Vegan Food Truck (Portland, Maine), the Scarecrow at The Frankenstand (Los Angeles), the Bahn Me Dawg at Pingala Cafe (Burlington, Vermont), the Big Daddy Special at Kale My Name (Chicago), the Vegan Italian Warsaw at The Wienery (Minneapolis), the Coney Dog at VEG-N (Lansing, Michigan), the Chicago Hot at Doggystyle (Sarasota, Florida), the Vegan at Wiener Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas), and the Vegan Chilly Cheez Dawg at Chilly Dawgz (Thomasville, Pennsylvania).

    In addition to saving nearly 200 animals every year, each person who goes vegan reduces their own risk of suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer and shrinks their carbon footprint.

    PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, and offers a free vegan starter kit on its website. For more information, please visit PETA.org, listen to The PETA Podcast, or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

    The post Hot Diggity! Sporty Dog Creations Scores National Award for Vegan Buffalo Blu Dog appeared first on PETA.

    This post was originally published on Animal Rights and Campaign News | PETA.