January is almost over, which, of course, means it’s the end of Veganuary. But there’s no need to be disappointed because positive news in the vegan food world has not slowed down. Kite Hill is filling the Veganuary void with Dairy-Free February, and another of the biggest stories this week has to be Gordon Ramsay’s partnership with plant-based butter brand Flora (more on both below).
It’s also been a week of new studies—one of which showed the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet on Latino brain health. Another expressed concern over toxic metals in protein powders, but if you’re worried, we gathered advice on how to avoid these from an expert in the field.
This week, we also explored the new “coffee loophole diet” and asked the question: Should President Trump really be drinking all of that Diet Coke?
From the tragic end of vegan KitKats to more plant-based food at Lidl, find out more about the vegan news of the week below.
Vegan food news
This week, Ramsay’s partnership with Flora marks a major milestone for the plant-based food industry. Plus, a new month-long dairy-free campaign, vegan food launches, and the sad end of plant-based KitKats.
Flora
Gordon Ramsay partners with Flora
It’s been more than two years since Gordon Ramsay admitted that he does, in fact, enjoy vegan food on an episode of Masterchef. Before this, the renowned British chef was famously against vegans, and even once joked about being “allergic” to them. But times have really changed, because Ramsay not only loves vegan food now, but he is actively promoting it. The chef has teamed up with Flora Food Group to promote the brand’s plant-based butter.
According to Ramsay, he frequently uses the butter in his own cooking. “I have put the product through its paces,” he said in a statement. Granted he uses it in non-vegan dishes, like scrambled eggs, but, as the chef notes, it’s still a significant change. “It gives me the creaminess and rich taste I get from butter, whilst being more sustainable,” he added.
Flora
The partnership—which sees Ramsay cooking with the plant-based butter in social media advertisements—is part of Flora’s ongoing Skip the Cow campaign, which encourages consumers to ditch dairy butter in favor of Flora products, which have been 100 percent plant-based since 2023.
Jorn Socquet, Flora Food Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, said that the partnership with Ramsay “represents a watershed moment for sustainable cooking.” He added: “Chef Ramsay’s endorsement validates what we’ve long known—that sustainable choices need not compromise on taste or performance.”
Kite Hill launches dairy-free challenge for February
Vegan brand Kite Hill is also urging consumers to ditch dairy. The California-based company recently announced the launch of its Dairy-Free February campaign, which, similar to Veganuary, encourages people to go without dairy products for one month. Throughout the month, it will work with social media creators to promote recipes and cooking tips using its dairy-free products, including its popular vegan Greek yogurts.
“Our mission at Kite Hill is to both debunk and defy all dairy-free expectations by creating great-tasting foods that help people feel their best,” Connie Sintuvat, Vice President of Marketing at Kite Hill, said in a statement. “Across our #DairyFreeFeb campaign, we’re asking one simple thing of consumers: try us.”
Nestlé
Vegan KitKat is being discontinued everywhere
Recently, Nestlé announced the news that it was discontinuing the vegan version of its KitKat bars in all markets, apart from the UK, where it will keep a small presence for a little bit longer. According to a spokesperson, this was due to falling “global demand,” which made “manufacturing more and more complex.”
“We have now made the difficult decision to discontinue the product,” they added. “We know there will be some disappointment, however, it will still be available in the UK and Ireland until the summer.”
If you’re craving chocolate, luckily, there are plenty of other vegan choices. Find our ultimate guide to vegan chocolate here.
Lidl partners with WWF to promote plant-based food sales
Demand might be falling for vegan KitKats, but in the aisles of Lidl, plant-based foods are growing in popularity. Recently, it announced it was partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to push its vegan sales even more, intending to increase them by 20 percent across 31 markets by 2030.
Lidl’s new strategy will use WWF’s Plant-Based Diets Retailer Methodology, which provides a clear framework to retailers for improving and measuring plant-based sales, to expand its vegan range. “By prioritizing plant-based options, Lidl demonstrates how retailers can drive food system transformation,” said Mariella Meyer of WWF Switzerland in a statement.
Montezuma’s launches vegan truffles for Valentine’s Day
Popular UK chocolate brand Montezuma’s has launched new vegan truffles in time for Valentine’s Day. The new chocolates are called Viva Las Vegan and come in three flavors: Hazy Days (hazelnut), Sweet Escape (caramel), and Berry Delicious (strawberry). Other Montezuma’s vegan options perfect for Valentine’s include its Black Forest chocolate bars and its Organic Dark Chocolate Giant Buttons.
Beyond Meat
Beyond Steak has expanded to France
The French vegan market is growing. Soon, Beyond Meat’s Beyond Steak will be available in the country’s food service sector for the very first time. Similar to its famous Beyond Burgers, Beyond Meat’s steak has been developed to mimic the taste and texture of steak made from animal products. It’s also protein-packed and cholesterol-free.
“I am delighted to start the year by bringing Beyond Steak to France – a delicious product which delivers an incredibly juicy and delicious taste, in a way that is kinder to the planet – no animal harm required,” said Beyond Meat’s sales director for France, Laura Durand, in a statement.
Vegan restaurant and dining news
This week, even Kentucky museums are going plant-based. Plus a new exciting menu addition at PLNT Burger, a vegan work canteen in the UK, and dairy-free mozzarella at DoubleDaves.
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Sabrina the Vegan
PLNT Burger adds cultured cheddar to the menu
East Coast chain PLNT Burger is the place to go if you’re having fast-food cravings. From meaty vegan burgers to vegan chicken sandwiches to creamy shakes, the menu ticks all of the boxes. But it just got even better. The chain has partnered with Swedish food tech brand Stockeld Dreamery to add cultured cheddar to the menu. The company’s cheese is made with traditional fermentation techniques, which gives it an authentic dairy-like taste and texture. “Cultured cheese belongs on a burger,” said Sorosh Tavakoli, CEO of Stockeld Dreamery, via Linkedin.
Kentucky’s National Corvette Museum launches vegan menu
The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY—which regularly hosts multiple exhibits and events—has added new vegan options to the menu at its Stingray Grill restaurant in a bid to cater to plant-based and flexitarian sports car fans. The new dishes include a Curried Chickpea Sandwich, a Black Bean Burger, and vegan nuggets.
Miyoko’s Creamery
DoubleDaves pizza chain partners with Miyoko’s Creamery
In Texas, plant-based diners can also get their hands on more vegan options. The state’s popular pizza chain DoubleDaves recently partnered with Miyoko’s Creamery to offer the brand’s dairy-free pourable mozzarella as an option on all of its pies. Marc Asmussen, Director of Sales and Food Service at Miyoko’s Creamery, said in a statement: “This collaboration marks a significant step in making delicious, sustainable, and accessible dairy-free options available to even more pizza fans.”
Ecotricity opens the UK’s first vegan work canteen
Across the Atlantic, in the UK, what is potentially the first ever vegan work canteen has opened in Stroud. Ecotricity—a green energy company founded by eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince OBE—will now offer plant-based, sustainable meals to all employees during the workday. Posting about the new canteen on Instagram, Vince said: “We didn’t know it was a first, but it often turns out that way when we just do things we think should be done.”
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast.
