From vegnews.com
The new year is off to a great start with vegan Hawaiian pizza at Papa Johns, Beyond Steak burritos in the UK, spicy falafel at Starbucks, and more
The organization kicked off this year’s challenge with a new campaign, which was designed to encourage more people to take part by pointing out the “weirdness” of animal-based foods. One image in the campaign showed a pig with a sausage for a body, for example, while another showed a steak with a burning forest on top. “Veganuary is asking everyone to face the startling reality of how our food choices impact animals and the planet,” said Toni Vernelli, International Head of Policy and Communications for Veganuary. “And consider whether trying vegan for January might just be a little less weird.”
Design by Richard Bowie | Image by Veganuary
To make plant-based eating easier than ever, the launch of Veganuary usually brings many new innovative products to restaurants and grocery stores, and this year is no exception. Keep reading to find out more about what’s new at Starbucks, Papa John’s, Aldi, and more.
Consumer trends and entertainment news
Asian Americans most likely to try a plant-based diet in 2025, says new survey
In December 2024, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) conducted a survey of more than 2,000 adults in a bid to find out more about how many Americans are seeking to start 2025 by making healthier diet choices. It found that more than 60 percent of Gen Z wanted to start a new diet in 2025, while more than 50 percent of Millennials wanted to do the same.
The survey found that seven percent of US adults wanted to try a plant-based diet, while a further seven percent wanted to go vegetarian. Of those who wanted to try a plant-based diet, most were Asian American, the survey revealed. Those who were least likely to try a plant-based diet were participants from the Midwest.
A44
Dr. Michael Greger is starring in a vegan zombie film
Michael Greger, MD, is best known for his work as a medical professional and plant-based advocate, but he’s recently been trying his hand at something a little different. Alongside plant-based journalist Jane Velez-Mitchell, the physician and author of How Not to Die has been acting in a horror thriller movie about zombies.
Called A44, the movie—which is “about compassion…with zombies”—was written, produced, and directed by Chris Cooney. It follows a college student as he attempts to find the source of a mysterious illness coming from the meat and dairy industry. Greger stars as a college professor in the film, which has been in the works since 2009 and is set for release in 2025.
Restaurant and grocery news
Starbucks
In an exciting start to 2025, Starbucks has added not one, but two new vegan-friendly options to its US menus. The first is a dairy-free take on cortado, the Spanish espresso drink. The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado features three shots of Blonde espresso, brown sugar, and steamed oat milk. And if you’re feeling hungry, you can also order the new vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket, which features flatbread, mashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce.
Beyond Steak arrives in UK fast-casual restaurants for the first time
Beyond Meat’s Beyond Steak has landed in the UK fast-casual restaurant scene for the first time. In honour of Veganuary, the plant-based steak is available for a limited time at fast-casual chain Tortilla in the new Beyond Steak Chimichurri Burrito. “We’re proud to partner with Beyond Meat to be the first fast-casual restaurant group in the UK to launch Beyond Steak,” said Tortilla’s Food Director, James Garland, in a statement. “Our new Beyond Steak Chimichurri Burrito is packed with juicy, meaty flavour, offering a plant-based option so delicious, the whole nation will be cheating on meat this Veganuary!” The new burrito is available until February 6.
Aldi is launching its own vegan liquid egg
Aldi has launched its biggest ever Veganuary range in the UK, with multiple new and innovative products. Customers can choose from products like Plant Menu Tempura Frickles (which are, essentially, deep-fried pickles), Salt & Pepper No Chicken Kebabs, Plant Menu Kimchi Kofta, and even Plant Menu Plant-Based Egg, which, similar to Just Egg, is designed for baking, making omelets, and scrambling. “Whether shoppers are looking to go fully plant-based or make a couple of meat-free swaps, Aldi’s range of new and returning Plant Menu products has shoppers covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” a spokesperson for the chain said in a statement.
Papa Johns
Pizza giant Papa Johns already offers a selection of plant-based pizzas in the UK, including Vegan Garden Party (which is loaded with vegetables and vegan cheese) and Jackfruit Pepperoni. But in honour of Veganuary, it’s added another option to the menu: La Vie Vegan Hawaiian. The pizza chain has partnered with the popular French vegan ham brand to make a plant-based version of the divisive pineapple pizza.
“We wanted to ensure this was more than just a vegan pizza and we’re so excited that Papa Johns shared our vision,” said La Vie’s CEO Nicolas Schweitzer in a statement. “It’s about taste, innovation, and making vegan choices accessible and exciting for everyone. Whether you’ve been a staunch defender or a passionate hater of the pineapple-on-pizza debate, this is your chance to taste the ultimate plant-based twist and decide where you stand.”
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