Vegan company Beyond Meat will debut plant-based ground beef Beyond Beef at retailers this year. The new product was created to displace traditional ground beef—the largest segment in the beef industry—and is made from a blend of pea, mung bean, and rice proteins that mimic the texture of its animal-derived counterpart and can be used in recipes such as meatballs, tacos, and chili. “We’ve long had our eye on creating a product that enables consumers to enjoy all the benefits and versatility of ground beef while tapping into the human health, environmental, and animal welfare benefits of plant-based foods,” Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown said. “As is our commitment, we’ve built this latest addition to our family of plant-based meats while being thoughtful about ingredient choices that support everyday use by the whole family, including strict avoidance of GMOs, soy, or gluten.” (vegnews.com)

Tofu shortages have been reported in parts of Canada after the country’s new 2019 Food Guide was released earlier this month. The food guide was given a major overhaul that included omitting dairy as a food group and emphasizing the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and plant-based proteins such as beans, nuts, and tofu. Now, a surge of interest in plant-based foods, particularly in tofu, has been reported. The biggest tofu shortage is in Quebec, where the province’s largest tofu producers, Unisoya and Soyarie, are struggling to meet demand. Both companies are working on increasing production by expanding factories but won’t be able to sell to big chains such as Costco and Provigo until the expansion is complete. According to Nielsen market research data, Quebec has long been one of the biggest consumers of tofu products, with 26 percent of Quebecers eating the vegan bean curd on a regular basis.

National Geographic is questioning the world’s consumption of animal products. The leading nature publication and network recently covered a report suggesting the global consumption of meat has “dire” consequences for the planet. The world’s population is growing, with 10 billion people expected to populate the earth by 2050. According to National Geographic, scientists from around the globe are “scrambling” to figure out a way of feeding all of these people. The report – conducted by 30 scientists over three years and published in the Lancet – suggests that a significant worldwide reduction in meat consumption would help to feed the growing population. To reach their conclusion, researchers weighed up a number of factors, including the amount of greenhouse gases produced by certain foods, as well as water and crop use. They determined that the world’s meat and sugar consumption should be cut by 50 percent, and the population should shift to a predominantly plant-based diet. (livekindly.co, nationalgeographic.com)

62 school districts and 13 businesses in New York are currently taking part in a 10-day plant-based health challenge. The Good Life Program—led by NY teacher Doug Schmidt in collaboration with Smola Consulting and the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership—involves 3,200 participants following a plant-based meal plan. In 2018, Schmidt led a similar 10-day health challenge for 35 schools, and more than 1,300 participants committed to plant-based meals. The challenge helped participants lower their total cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels, while losing weight, increasing their energy, and sleeping better. Schmidt created the program after realizing the power of a whole-food, plant-based diet, which he started following after suffering from a “widowmaker” heart attack at the age of 49. His change in diet resulted in a 60-pound weight loss and allowed him to eliminate his dependence on medications. (vegnews.com)

Musicians Beyoncé and Jay-Z challenged their fans to go vegan in a forward the couple penned for new book The Greenprint: Plant-Based Diet, Best Body, Better World. “We used to think of health as a diet—some worked for us, some didn’t,” the couple wrote. “Once we looked at health as the truth, instead of a diet, it became a mission for us to share that truth and lifestyle with as many people as possible.” “We all have a responsibility to stand up for our health and the health of the planet,” the couple wrote. “Let’s take this stand together. Let’s spread the truth. Let’s make this mission a movement. Let’s become ‘The Greenprint.’” While neither Jay-Z nor Beyoncé identify as “vegan,” the couple frequently promotes plant-based diets for health and environmental benefits. Last year, Beyoncé eschewed all animal products in preparation for the Coachella Valley Music Festival and took to Instagram to urge her 112 million followers to do the same. (vegnews.com)