TOP NEWS THIS WEEK
The Possible Burger, Made from Cantaloupe: Chef Will Horowitz, known for his innovative use of produce in plant-based meats, has unveiled “The Possible Burger” made from cantaloupe. Much of what people love about burgers is the way they are prepared and seasoned, and this unique burger showcases how versatile plant foods can be. While not intended to directly compete with commercial plant-based meats, The Possible Burger demonstrates the potential for creative, whole-food alternatives to animal products. Read more on VegNews.
Engaged Jain Studies Podcast Launches: The second episode of the Engaged Jain Studies Podcast provides insights into Jainism and its connection to ethical veganism. Learn how Jainism informs the vegan advocacy of two professors and how their advocacy and academic pursuits are intertwined. Listen on the Arihanta Institute podcast page.
Global Seafloor Animal Populations Mapped for the First Time: A groundbreaking study has used artificial intelligence to map the activities of seafloor invertebrates across the world’s oceans. More small crustaceans and other sentient animals live on the sea floor than anywhere else in the world, and mapping their populations, environments, and activities will provide us with valuable data about what their lives are like.
While this work is intended to help us understand the relationship of these ecosystems and climate change, the information could also be used to help the sentient beings who inhabit those ecosystems. Read about the technology on Phys.org.
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Ahead of EU Elections, Here’s How Parties View Plant-Based Policy Issues
With EU elections approaching in June, the European Vegetarian Union (EVU) surveyed 60 Europarties and national parties about their positions on plant-based policies. The results showed strong support for measures like binding targets to improve the climate impact of agriculture, a “polluter pays” principle, and enhancing health within the Common Agricultural Policy. However, views were more divided on issues like VAT rates for plant-based proteins and mandatory plant-based meals in public cafeterias. Nearly half of the parties believe vegan products should be able to use terms like “plant-based sausage” or “soy milk.” As the EU grapples with policies related to climate change, animal farming, and alternative proteins, these election results could significantly shape the future of plant-based food in Europe. Read the full analysis on Green Queen.
QUICK BITES
Dal Palak (Spinach Dal): This comforting Indian dish combines creamy red lentils with aromatic spices and silky spinach. It’s a flavorful, protein-packed meal that’s surprisingly easy to make. Serve with rice for a satisfying dinner. Get the recipe on Rainbow Plant Life.
Simple Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Wedges: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these roasted Japanese sweet potato wedges make for an irresistible side dish or snack. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor. Find the recipe on The Full Helping.
DID YOU KNOW?
The First Cultured Meat Restaurant opened in 2020 in Tel Aviv
The world’s first lab-grown meat restaurant, “The Chicken,” opened in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2020. The restaurant serves cultured chicken burgers, marking a significant step towards the commercialization of cell-based meats as an alternative to traditional animal agriculture.
Cultured meat, also known as lab-grown or cell-based meat, is produced by growing animal cells in a nutrient-rich medium, without the use of animals in the production process, apart from the initial animal cell samples.
The opening of The Chicken represents a milestone in the development and acceptance of cultured meat. While cultured meat is not yet widely available or cost-effective, advancements in this field could revolutionize the food industry and lead to a future where meat consumption no longer relies on animal exploitation.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think about cultured meat? Is it problematic that it continues to present animal-derived meat as food, even though the process doesn’t harm animals? Is there a danger that, even if cultured meat becomes the norm, the continued view of animal meat as food could lead to a regression into killing animals for food instead of growing the cells?
Stay informed and keep advocating for a more vegan world. See you next week with more updates!
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