Veganism is on the rise. The phenomenon has spawned a burgeoning industry in alternatives to animal-derived products that’s already worth billions of dollars. It includes nondairy milk and cheese, imitation beef, chicken, fish and pork, and leather made from pineapple leaves or apple peel.
A sizzling initial public offering by meat substitute maker Beyond Meat Inc. underscored optimism about a new “vegan economy.” The promise is rooted not just in consumers who choose to cut out meat and dairy for ethical reasons but also from the growing ranks of non-vegans concerned about their health — and that of the planet.
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Bullish signs for the future of the vegan economy include the huge investments in plant-based foods by traditional meat and dairy companies. Surveys highlight a key breakthrough since the days when bland-sounding vegan fare was consigned to natural-food stores: Half the consumers in one U.S. survey said the main reason they choose plant-based foods is the taste.
Advocates for meat replacement argue that like it or not, humans will have to radically change their diets to avert climate change.
Read full, original article: The Vegan Economy
