Blueview, a new sustainable footwear brand, has launched the ‘world’s first’ biodegradable shoe. The company has replaced petroleum plastics with plant-based plastics to create its inaugural sneaker – the Blueview Pacific.This sneaker utilizes innovative plant-based materials, including Soleic and PlantKnitTM, to create a sustainable sneaker…

This article is contributed by Peter Beans, a passionate animal rights advocate, who is keen on changing the world for the better through delicious vegan cooking, inspirational gardening stories and giving a voice to the voiceless.Seaspiracy and My Octopus Teacher were two of the most popular documentaries on Netflix in 2021, and therefore, it seems…

Bone china is one of the most common types of porcelain or china ceramic used across the world. It has very high mechanical and physical strength and chip resistance, and is known for its high levels of whiteness and translucency. After being produced almost exclusively in the UK for about 200 years, other countries such as Japan, China, Bangladesh…

After struggling with recurring hepatitis for a long time, Arshia Pasricha, Founder and CEO, WLTH, looked for natural remedies that could be trusted. She reversed her liver disease naturally through a holistic approach and a plant-based diet. Having to deal with an overwhelming range of products, most of which were of poor quality and didn’t live…

Authored by Suchita Gupta Vegan footwear excludes the usage of animal products such as leather, wool, fur, glues, etc. and is completely manufactured from eco-friendly materials. Certain factors such as surge in vegan population, growth in demand for sustainable products, rise in concerns regarding plastic wastes, increase in awareness regarding animal…

Yet another Mexican state – Sinaloa – has banned bullfighting categorising it as animal cruelty. The step has been taken considering the sentiments of Mexican people who want a nationwide ban on bullfighting. As per a survey by Parametria (a polling agency in Mexico), around 73% Mexicans are in favor of a ban of this cruel sport. Few other Mexican…

Here are some vegan celebrities who are outspoken defenders of animal rights and don’t shy away from promoting veganism on public platforms.Joaquin PhoenixJoaquin Phoenix is one of the most renowned actors in the world. He is greatly credited for his excellent performance in the movie Joker, for which he has received numerous accolades and adoration…

We humans are obsessed with personal hygiene and a life without our favorite cleaning products is nothing less than a nightmare. Our fascination with cleanliness has been commodified by companies, which are leaving no stone unturned in luring us with unlimited attractive products. The market is brimming with various kinds of soaps, shower gels, shampoos…

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court headed by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava directed the West Bengal government to place on record a policy to address the miserable conditions of horses used to haul tourist carriages near Victoria Memorial before the next hearing on 28 February.The court issued this order following public interest litigation…

Plantish, an Israel-based food tech startup, revealed that it has successfully developed the world’s first plant-based whole-cut salmon fillet.The company, known for its patent-pending additive manufacturing technology, had been working on the salmon prototype after securing $2 million funding from TechAviv Founder Partners in early 2021.Plantish…

Nutrazee, a vegan supplement nutraceutical startup based in Hyderabad, has launched Calcium + Vitamin D gummies for children and adults. Nutrazee’s Calcium + D3 gummies help support bone health, teeth, and immune health.Nutrazee’s gummies are 100% vegan and come in a natural orange flavor. They are easy to take alternatives to pills/chewable tablets/syrups…

Ireland-based taste and nutrition leader Kerry has revealed India as a unique market for plant proteins.It says vegetarians in India comprise one third of the population and the remaining 70 percent of non-vegetarians are also consuming plant proteins regularly. Defined as ‘flexitarians’, this segment consumes both meat and meat alternatives and…

After nearly two years of trials in test markets, KFC is finally launching its own version of plant-based fried chicken alternative – Beyond Fried Chicken – across US on January 10. This could be termed as the “biggest launch” of vegan chicken anywhere in the world.To be available at more than 4,000 KFC locations, the new Beyond Fried Chicken…

Next Meats, a Tokyo-based sustainable foods company, has teamed up with Indian food-tech startup Vegan Meat India to launch a range of vegan meat options in the country, including Yakiniku cuts meant for barbeque.The company, which is listed in the American stock market, will introduce Next Tandoori Chicken, Next Herb Chicken, Next Classic Chicken…

FMCG major ITC has announced that it is going to launch a range of plant-based meat products in view of the rising demand for meat alternatives and growing interest in veganism in the country.With this move, ITC will be the first pan-India giant to foray into this category, which is largely dominated by startups and global players currently.Top multinationals…

In tune with the Veganuary spirit, Starbucks finally announced that it is dropping the upcharge for any of its five dairy alternatives at 1,020 UK stores starting 5 January.The multinational coffee chain currently serves a broad offering of five vegan milk options, including oat, soya, almond, coconut, and its exclusive Starbucks Original Nut Blend.The…

Veganuary, the global pledge to try vegan for 31 days in January, now has a new supporter – Bigfoot. In a video released by the organization, the mythical creature – voiced by Hollywood actor James Cromwell – was seen signing up to Veganuary to cut his carbon (Big)foot print.The film shows Bigfoot living alone in the woods and hardly seen by anyone…

Marriott International has introduced Mood Diets 2.0, a new menu that will be co-created by crowdsourcing authentic recipes through a contest held across 15 Indian cities.With innovation in mind, the hotel chain first launched Mood Diets earlier this year with a focus on curating a menu to meet the nutrient requirements of guests, while satiating unconscious…

Axia Foods, a plant-based foods startup located in Pune, has launched what it calls ‘the world’s first cultured almond butter with protein’.The new product – grenbutter – has been developed after several months of research and development, with Axia using their unique formulation, design, process and technology to create the cultured & churned…

American rapper Cardi B is thinking about going plant-based.In a tweet dated December 13, she asked her 20 million plus followers, “I want to go vegan but I love meat.. are vegan meat replacements similar to meat in taste or not really?”The tweet got over 3,500 comments with people suggesting how plant-based meat is better than the real one, with…

Plant-based dairy startup ‘alt foods’, supported by the Good Food Institute (GFI) India, has launched the first of its kind plant-based milk made with ingredients such as sprouted sorghum, sprouted finger millets, amaranth and oats.Currently available in two variants – ‘original milk’ and ‘chocolate flavoured milk’ – the company plans…

Vippy Industries, one of India’s oldest soy processing companies known best for its Vama range of products, has now entered the healthy snacking space with the launch of PROMUNCH Roasted Soya Snack.The ready-to-eat snack has a 48% plant-based protein content making it 4X more protein-rich than a conventional egg. The non-GMO and gluten-free PROMUNCH…

Veganuary, the global movement that encourages people to try vegan for 31 days in January, has officially launched in India.The movement was born in 2014 and is now observed in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Every January, lakhs of people try a vegan lifestyle to improve their health, reduce animal suffering, and reduce the climate…

Personal care brand mCaffeine has launched a new caffeinated hair care range made using vegan milk.The ‘Latte Range’ adds to the brand’s existing Naked & Raw Hair Care range and has been crafted to give relief from damaged hair. The new line includes – Naked & Raw Latte Coffee Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Mask, Cream Oil and Hair Cream.The products…

All parents want whatever’s best for their kids, especially when it comes to nutrition. In their growing years, children require healthy food, along with some additional vitamins and minerals to support their growth. Protein is one such key nutrient that is essential for building, maintaining, and repairing the tissues in our body.A report by the…

Puppy Cuddles Dog Café, a popular pet café located in Mumbai, has been shut down following allegations that the dogs there were being caged, hit, and denied adequate food.The Mumbai District Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued a notice to the owner and also directed that the café cannot operate due to lack of permits from…

Clean and conscious personal care brand, The Switch Fix (TSF) has joined hands with homegrown mushroom start-up, Shroomery to launch Magic Shrooms, a range of hair care products that includes hair mask bar, shampoo bar, conditioner bar, scalp serum, featuring key ingredient – mushrooms.The collaboration stems from TSF’s commitment to minimize carbon…

Life isn’t easy for vegans. When it comes to food, they have to be extra cautious before using any ingredient in their cooking or buying anything off the shelf.It is common sense to read labels before buying anything, but what can one do if even the most regular staples they have been consuming all their lives are non vegan?Sugar is one of the culprits.Although…

Haldiram’s, the country’s leading QSR chain and manufacturer of packaged snacks, has ventured into the plant protein segment in collaboration with New Delhi-based alternative protein company BVeg Foods.The restaurant chain is now offering plant-based Keema Pao and Keema Samosa as part of its winter special menu 2021 across all 80 restaurants spread…

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has released its latest findings regarding dogs used for meat and wildlife meat markets in northeast India.The video documentation reveals filthy conditions risking disease transmission and rampant violations of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960…

A new study undertaken by researchers in Canada suggests that some men consume more red meat to appear more masculine.The study finds that these men feel insecure about their masculinity, and therefore, eat more red meat to increase their manliness.Through the survey, the researchers at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta wanted to explore the psychological…

Abhishek Sinha, Co-founder and CEO, GoodDot, said during an online session that there is a “pressing need” for the plant-based movement to succeed because “because animals are banking on this transition and we can’t fail them”.Sinha was one of the speakers at the session titled ‘Blazing a Trail: Plant-based startups at the frontier of innovation’…

Expedia, one of the world’s top travel companies, has announced that it will no longer offer holiday packages that include performances by dolphins and other cetaceans.Making the announcement on Twitter, the US-based company said, “We recently adjusted our animal welfare policy. As a result, attractions and activities that involve performances by…

World Vegan Day is here and we cannot keep calm!So, we decided to do a story on how the year was for vegans and veganism. Are we winning, just starting or already there?Make your mind after going through the points below, which mention some of the biggest moments for veganism in 2021 both in India and elsewhere!Met Gala Goes 100% Plant-BasedFor the…

Adding flavour to festivities and in tune with the upcoming World Vegan Day, Pune-based soy protein company ‘Soyarich Foods’ has introduced a new range of vegan yogurts and spreads.The company, which has been into the manufacturing of tofu for almost a decade, is now diversifying its product portfolio keeping up with the rising demand for alternative…

Yes, you read it right!A Swedish plant-based food company is daring people to try human meat burger on the eve of Halloween.Terrified? Don’t be, since there is a twist in this cannibalistic offer as the meat is made completely from plants, and no humans were harmed in its making!At the unusual event taking place at Nytorget in Stockholm, the company…

Humans have just nine years to save the Earth from plastic waste before irreparable damage is done to the planet and human health, warned environmentalists at the recently-concluded Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam.The Summit was organised by environmental NGO Plastic Soup Foundation, initiator of the Plastic Health Coalition.The Summit saw research…

With less than a week to go before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) kicks off in Glasgow, its organizers have announced that the menu at the event will feature mostly plant-based dishes recognizing the calamitous impact of animal agriculture on global climate.In September this year, more than 50 NGOs had sent a letter to Alok Sharma…

A vegan lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges. From finding plant-derived alternatives to everyday food items, to reading labels before buying anything from the supermarket to ensure its crueltyfree – vegans do it all!However, even the most dedicated vegans tend to commit a folly when it comes to contraceptives. Who would have thought that…

In what is being termed as a medical breakthrough, a pig kidney has been transplanted into a human without triggering immediate rejection by the recipient’s immune system.This is the first time the transplant has proved to be successful after multiple failures over the past years. The development is expected to help alleviate the shortage of human…

New Zealand is known for its multi-billion-dollar dairy industry, which not just caters to the local population but is also a major export earner. It is said that there are as many dairy cows in the country as there are people.The fact that dairy is the lifeblood for the island nation, however, cannot hide the threat it is posing to the country’s…

Taking a step towards sustainability and animal welfare, Meghalaya’s minister for forests and environment, James Sangma is planning to boost pineapple leather production in the state, utilising the enormous waste generated by the flourishing pineapple trade.This move will not only help local farmers by providing them new employment opportunities but…

Holywood actor Ashton Kutcher has announced that he is backing an Israel-based cultured meat startup MeaTech through his venture capital fund Sound Ventures.He along with Guy Oseary, a serial entrepreneur and talent manager, and Effie Epstein, had established the investment firm in 2015 with an aim to support “the next generation of clean, circular…

A planet-friendly, dairy-free take on the Bengali delight – the rasmalai!Ingredients:3 Cups Almond Milk3-4 Strands of Saffron8-9 Tbsp Sugar1/2 Tsp Salt1/6 Tsp Ground Cardamom64.5 Gms Raw Cashewnuts1 Tbsp Corn Starch1 Pod of Cardamom Seeds56 Gms Almond Flour3 Tbsp Vegan Cream Cheese9.86 gms Vegan Butter or Oil1 Tbsp Almond Slivers1 Tbsp.Chopped Raw…

Bengaluru-based Hatti Kaapi, a homegrown coffee chain with outlets in several Indian cities, has launched a range of vegan filter coffee.The brand currently has 115 stores and is planning to expand their retail footprint to over 200 stores.Hatti Kaapi partnered with Oatey, an Indian oatmilk startup, to introduce an oatmilk-based range of vegan filter…

In her upcoming biography, former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham reveals that Former President Donald Trump had told her that he would never go vegan as it “messes with your body chemistry”.  This conversation between Grisham and Trump followed 9-year-old vegan activist Ethan, challenging Trump to shun all animal products for a month…

Perfect Day, Inc., a California-based startup making dairy protein without animals, yesterday announced that it has raised $350 million in a Series D funding round co-led by Temasek and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments).Other investors such as Horizons Ventures and Bob Iger, as well as SK, Inc. also participated in the round, bringing…

In a move to ban the cruel practice of using metal crates to confine pregnant mother pigs, the Karnataka Animal Welfare Board (KAWB) has issued a circular directing all district deputy directors to prohibit their manufacture, sale, and use.The use of gestation and farrowing crates in intensive pig farming has been a topic of controversy for a long time…

The Good Food Institute (GFI), a non-profit working to address the problems of food security and climate crisis by assisting startups in the sustainable food space, has announced that it will be awarding $5 million to 22 scientists from around the world, who are leading innovation in alternatives to whole cut meat and seafood.The grant will support…

Pune-based Mighty Millets is a healthy snacking brand born out of a mother’s passion and a son’s vision.At age 45, when most people often give up hopes of learning something new, Meena Jain decided to join a course on Nutrition and Dietetics. She worked hard and topped the course.With an inclination towards healthy living and an urge to make people…