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Vegetarian Food Products or Substitutes

 

Faking It: Many of Today's Meat Analogs Boast a Look, Taste, and Texture Surprisingly Close to the Real Thing

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The availability of meat analogs or substitutes has grown considerably in recent years and these products now offer greater diversity for consumers who are enjoying the improvements in appearance, taste, and texture compared with previously available meat analogs.

U.S. Soy Beverages on the Rise in the U.S.

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Sales of soy beverages and other dairy alternative products in the United States grew by 19.3% from 2006 to 2007, to reach $1.7 billion.

The Language of Going Green

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This article presents a glossary of "green" consumer technology, including some with particular relevance to animal-related issues: community-supported agriculture, biomimicry, freegan, locavore, slow food, and others.

The Interactive Effect of Cultural Symbols and Human Values on Taste Evaluation

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A research study examining the symbolic meaning of foods and beverages found that when participants tasted meat, they were more what influenced by what they thought they had eaten than what they had actually eaten. The study's authors conclude that "Participants who ate the vegetarian alternative did not rate the taste and aroma less favorably than those who ate the beef product. Instead, what influenced taste evaluation was what they thought they had eaten and whether that food symbolized values that they personally supported."

What the World Eats (in One Week)

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My last post on in vitro meat production argued that the new technology will render animal farming obsolete, but I also admitted that the change will take a while. In the meantime, overall meat consumption will rise dramatically in spite of the immense gap between the world's wealthy (and well-fed) and its poor (and malnourished). Here we take a closer look at the diets of nine families in nine very different countries, through the lens of photo-journalist Peter Menzel.

How to End 98% of Animal Abuse in the Next 25 Years

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So-called "lab meat" is the future of farmed animal advocacy, with the potential to completely replace the hundreds of billions of animals consumed every year throughout the world. While it still faces major science- and business-related hurdles, the promise of in vitro meat is eliminating the vast majority of animal suffering caused by humans. More than just another example of "system-wide change," the successful commercialization of lab meat would be downright revolutionary.

Beyond the Veggie Burger

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Meat analogs have graduated to a more sophisticated level of product development and marketing, with broader product lines and channel distribution through retail grocery stores and foodservice, including restaurants and dormitory cafes.

Desire for Satiating Breakfast Opens Doors for Soy

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Survey results show that consumers are looking for filling breakfasts that release energy slowly, expanding opportunities for manufacturers of soy products.

Meat Analog Magic: Has Meatless Gone Mainstream?

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A new type of vegetarian, the "lifestyle consumer," is driving the growth in meatless alternatives and meat analogs, as these primarily health-concerned consumers constitute a growing base for these products.

PETA's Latest Tactic: $1 Million for Fake Meat

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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently announced a $1 million prize to the "first person to come up with a method to produce commercially viable quantities of in vitro meat at competitive prices by 2012." However, the prize has come under fire from some for being a publicity stunt and only loosely based on science.