From vegan-ranch-covered “Dirt Candy” salads to Krispy Kreme doughnuts, it looks like the first week of Veganuary is closing out strong.
When it comes to global health, there is no higher authority than the World Health Organization (WHO). And the WHO just urged everyone to do their part in shifting the food system in the plant-based direction.
Finally, The Body Shop is taking all the guesswork out of shopping for compassionate products because it just became the first global beauty brand to get vegan certification. Read on for more.
Vegan food news
Vegan hard-boiled eggs are hitting the road with Costco in a three-store “roadshow.” This strategic collaboration between Wundereggs producer Crafty Counter and the big box chain aims to introduce these innovative plant-based eggs to a wider audience across the United States.
Crafty Counter
Following a successful pitch at the Fearless Fund VC Summit in Atlanta, Crafty Counter secured the opportunity to showcase Wundereggs at Costco’s roadshows in Atlanta and Orlando throughout January. This initiative offers a platform for Crafty Counter to test market response, gather consumer insights, and potentially secure a more permanent presence in Costco’s retail outlets.
Brewdog
If you ask us, January has officially been renamed to “Veganuary,” and businesses around the world are celebrating the challenge to go vegan for the month and beyond.
At BrewDog in the United Kingdom, vegan chicken wings are getting a major Veganuary upgrade. That’s because This, a producer of hyper-realistic meat alternatives, has partnered with the brewery and pub chain to introduce what it claims to be Europe’s first skin-on vegan chicken wings.
Made from a blend of soy and pea protein and featuring This’ innovative olive oil-based fat technology, these wings are coated with a unique seaweed-based “skin” to mimic the texture and taste of conventional chicken wings. Available as a limited-edition Veganuary option across all food-serving BrewDog locations UK-wide, the wings are part of a broader initiative by BrewDog to offer diverse vegan options, with their menu already boasting 50 percent vegan or vegetarian dishes.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme UK is also getting on board for Veganuary with the launch of a cookie-themed vegan doughnut line that includes two flavors: Cookies & Kreme and Chocolate Cookie Crunch doughnuts, both certified by the Vegan Society. Available through January 28 at retailers across the UK, these limited-edition treats are a vegan take on Krispy Kreme’s popular flavors.
The Cookies & Kreme is topped with crunchy cookies and cream frosting, while the Chocolate Cookie Crunch is dipped in chocolate icing, topped with cookie crumbs, and finished with frosting and a mini cookie.
“The Vegan Trademark team are thrilled to see Krispy Kreme expanding their vegan options and making them available across the country,” Amelia Wallage from The Vegan Society said in a statement. “They’ve gone the extra mile to verify their vegan claims by registering with the Vegan Trademark.”
“Those looking for a fresh and tasty doughnut can have peace of mind that this range is vegan certified so doughnut-lovers nationwide don’t have to miss out on their favorite treat,” Wallage said.
While Krispy Kreme UK—which has vegan doughnuts on its permanent menu—has participated in Veganuary since 2020, the chain has made no progress when it comes to vegan doughnut offerings in the US.
Vegan restaurant news
Pizza chain Mellow Mushroom is celebrating Veganuary by reintroducing the Miss Mushroom pizza, a popular vegan item, now available at all of its locations through March 4. This vegan pizza includes minced garlic, Mellow red sauce, spinach, dairy-free mozzarella and feta from Follow Your Heart, portabello mushrooms, caramelized onions, and chives.
Mellow Mushroom
“We’re excited that Mellow Mushroom is celebrating Veganuary again this year and bringing back their famous Miss Mushroom pizza,” Sandra Hungate, Veganuary US Director, said in a statement. “Their delicious vegan options are making it easier for the growing number of people wanting to eat plant-based for animals, health, and the planet, without having to give up the foods they know and love.”
The Miss Mushroom pizza joins other vegan options at the chain which include pretzels, dressings, sauces, Munchies, specialty pizzas, and tempeh protein.
Veggie Grill
Plus, Veganuary specials at pioneering vegan chain Veggie Grill mean that every week, there’s something new (and free!) to try.
The offers include buy one, get one free deals on salads, bowls, and entrées, as well as a discount on larger purchases, available in-store, online, and through the Veggie Grill mobile app.
“January marks a large consumer shift towards prioritizing planet-friendly eating and living a healthy lifestyle, so we’re encouraging new and existing guests to ‘veggie up’ with our feel-good, plant-driven menu all Veganuary long,” Renae Scott, Veggie Grill’s Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement.
Just Salad
At wellness-focused chain Just Salad, Michelin-starred chef Amanda Cohen made a “Dirt Candy” salad for Veganuary packed with plant-based goodness.
This special menu item, reflecting the ethos of Cohen’s renowned NYC restaurant, Dirt Candy, includes a vibrant mix of extra crisp romaine and arugula, organic sesame tofu, sliced cucumber, shaved broccoli, tajin-spiced pumpkin seeds, sliced pepperoncini, and Castelvetrano olives—which all comes dressed with a creamy vegan ranch.
“Embarking on this Veganuary journey with Just Salad is a thrilling fusion of culinary passions and a shared food ethos,” Cohen said in a statement.
Salt & Straw
If you’re looking for something sweet this Veganuary, there are quite a few new vegan treats at Salt & Straw. It is that time of year again when the artisan ice cream company launches its Dairy-Free Decadence menu.
This series showcases five limited-time vegan flavors, including two new additions for this year. Created by co-founder and head ice cream maker Tyler Malek, the lineup includes Death by Chocolate Chocolate Cake, Marionberry Oatmeal Cobbler, Toasted Oat Milk & Cookies, Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, and Bananas Foster with Candied Pecans.
Following this series, in February, Salt & Straw will introduce the Strawberry Coconut Water Sherbet, replacing the Marionberry Coconut Sherbet. These offerings are available in scoop shops, through local delivery, and nationwide shipping.
Vegan health and beauty news
The Body Shop is starting 2024 on the right foot by going completely vegan—making it the first global beauty brand to ditch animal products and testing for good. This landmark achievement encompasses all its product ranges, including skincare, body care, haircare, makeup, and fragrance.
The Body Shop
“We know that vegan beauty matters to millions of people around the world, and we’ve worked tirelessly to achieve this huge milestone,” Ian Bickley, Chief Executive Officer, The Body Shop, said in a statement.
The entire product portfolio has been certified by The Vegan Society, fulfilling the ambitious target set in 2021 when 60 percent of its products were already vegan-certified. Building on its legacy as the first beauty retailer to campaign against animal testing in 1989, The Body Shop’s move to a 100-percent vegan range marks another significant step in cruelty-free beauty.
Pexels
Many organizations dabble in health but one tops them all and it’s now taking a much more vocal stance on the power of plant-based diets. The World Health Organization (WHO), under the leadership of Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has highlighted the critical role of plant-based diets in improving human health and mitigating environmental issues.
Speaking at the COP28 UN Climate Summit in Dubai, Ghebreyesus pointed out the significant impact of food production on global health and greenhouse gas emissions, largely attributable to animal agriculture.
“Transforming food systems is therefore essential, by shifting towards healthier, diversified, and more plant-based diets,” Ghebreyesus said.
Could this message from the WHO, a leading authority in global health, be the tipping point people need to go plant-based in 2024?
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Anna Starostinetskaya is the Senior News Editor at VegNews and is always keeping an eye on all things vegan in her home city of San Francisco, CA and everywhere else.
