Mercy For Animals' scorecard of the 25 largest US burger chains gave McDonald's 1 of 30 points, and only six chains cleared 15 [99][82].
02
Beyond Meat, Quorn and Redefine Meat are lobbying MEPs to reject a wider EU ban on veggie-burger names, with a committee vote due in December [73].
03
The International Whaling Commission left its 40-year moratorium intact after a pro-whaling resolution was withdrawn on the last day [92].
04
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found vitamin D2 supplements lowered blood vitamin D3, and animal-free D3 from lichen now exists [22][18].
05
A review of 22 studies found dairy trans fats were not associated with heart disease or diabetes, but its authors work for or are funded by dairy groups [20][24].
The Stories: the day’s biggest developments, in the sources’ own words
01▬Food & RecipesStory
Mercy For Animals scores McDonald's 1 of 30 in first US burger-chain ranking
Photo: vegconomist
Mercy For Animals ranked the 25 largest US burger chains on plant-based menu offerings and gave McDonald's 1 of 30 points [99]. Six chains reached 15 points or more: Bareburger, BurgerFi, Fatburger, White Castle, Red Robin and Burger King [82]. The scoring is the advocacy group's own, and menu items a diner must modify to make plant-based earned nothing [82].
“McDonald’s has helped shape the way generations of people eat. Today, it has another opportunity to lead by expanding plant-based menu options for American consumers”
Arash Yomtobian, president and CEO of Mercy For Animals · [99]
By the numbers
1 of 30points scored by McDonald's, in the report's lowest tier [99]
6 of 25top chains offer a dedicated plant-based patty on their primary US menu [99]
26 millionAmericans McDonald's serves each day, by the report's count [99]
FromMercy For Animalsvegconomist the vegan business magazine
Beyond Meat, Quorn and Redefine Meat ask MEPs to block wider veggie-name ban
Photo: green queen
The EU rule barring "meat" and 31 related terms on meat-alternative packaging was published in the official register in August, giving companies three years to comply [73]. Days later, MEPs from the European People's Party, Patriots for Europe and the European Conservatives and Reformists signed amendments to widen it [73]. A coalition of food companies and trade groups, including Beyond Meat, Quorn and Redefine Meat, wants MEPs to reject the extension [73].
“Consumers already understand terms such as ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ in the context of plant-based food”
Rutger Rozendaal, CEO of the JBS-owned The Vegetarian Butcher Collective · [73]
“Naming restrictions would weaken demand at exactly the wrong moment”
Thomas Schobesberger, secretary-general of the European Alliance for Plant-Based Foods · [73]
By the numbers
31terms barred alongside "meat" on plant-based packaging [73]
3 yearsfor companies to comply from the August publication [73]
€250Min damage in Germany alone from the existing restrictions, by the estimate of the Federal Association for Alternative Protein Sources [73]
WatchThe agriculture committee votes in December and the final plenary vote is set for 2027 [73].
International Whaling Commission keeps its 40-year ban after pro-whaling resolution is pulled
Photo: Conservation news
Antigua and Barbuda's resolution on the "sustainable use" of whales, which introduced a path toward commercial whaling, was withdrawn on the last day of the commission's Hobart meeting by Grenada, which had not co-sponsored it [92]. A bid to create a South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary failed again, as it has at several earlier meetings [92]. Delegates did approve resolutions on cetacean strandings, the fish maw trade and vessel strikes [92].
“In the end the overall results of the meeting are satisfactory as the majority of countries stood strong in support of defending the ban on commercial whaling, which is one of the most shining success stories in the global efforts to protect wildlife”
Fabienne McLellan, CEO of the Swiss NGO OceanCare · [92]
By the numbers
89member governments in the commission, with about 400 delegates in Hobart from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2 [92]
1 voteis how far the South Atlantic sanctuary fell short of the three-quarters majority in 2024 [92]
$200 millionin Japanese assistance to Antigua and Barbuda over two decades, which its ambassador acknowledged in 2024 [92]
WatchIceland's government said in September it will introduce a bill banning commercial whaling in February 2027; whether it passes remains to be seen [92].
A 2025 Nutrition Reviews meta-analysis of randomized trials found people taking vitamin D2 had lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 than controls, and the authors say more research is needed before clinical advice changes [22]. D2 still raises its own form, and a separate 2025 meta-analysis of 26 trials found D2 lowered parathyroid hormone and raised calcium [18][23]. D3 in supplements has traditionally come from sheep's wool lanolin, and animal-free D3 from lichen is also available [18].
“we discovered that vitamin D2 supplements can actually decrease levels of vitamin D3 in the body, which is a previously unknown effect of taking these supplements.”
Emily Brown, PhD research fellow and lead researcher, University of Surrey · [18]
“This meta-analysis highlights the importance of ensuring plant-based vitamin D3 is accessible in the UK.”
Cathie Martin, group leader, John Innes Centre · [18]
By the numbers
−17.99 nmol/Lweighted mean difference in 25(OH)D3 for D2 versus control at the end of trials (95% CI −25.86 to −10.12) [22]
−9.25 nmol/Labsolute change in 25(OH)D3 over the trials (95% CI −14.40 to −4.10) [22]
11 of 20reviewed studies were suitable for the main meta-analysis [22]
FromPrimary SourcesNutrition Research News -- ScienceDaily
Worth Knowing
Food & Recipes
M&S's 2026 vegan Christmas range includes the Plant Kitchen No Turkey Crown at £12 for four, on pre-order now and in stores from December 18, plus a £3.25 No Turkey Feast Pie for the only vegan at the table [53].
Trader Joe's told VegNews it has no plans to bring back its Turkey-Less Stuffed Roast this holiday season, after it was dropped in 2023 and returned in 2024 [48].
Innovation
Six partners including Vivici, dsm-firmenich and DAB.bio formed ECOFERM to test whether clumping cells can keep precision fermentation running continuously, though the budget and duration are undisclosed [81].
Hackney mayor Zoë Garbett pledged to end meat and dairy advertising on council-owned land, which makes it the first UK local authority to do so [74].
SRM Institute of Hotel Management in Tamil Nadu will give one-fifth of chef coursework to plant-based cooking from 2027, after cutting animal products in its dining halls by 30% [80].
Research & Nutrition
A 15-year study of 31 wild Bornean orangutan mother-infant pairs found mothers travel farther and feed less on days their young play with peers, though playdates occur on only about 6% of observed days [30][106].
One Good Thing
At a government rescue center in Khon Kaen, Thailand, vets sedate, microchip and health-check leopard cat cubs raised from tiny orphans, many pulled from charred sugarcane fields. Of the 60 cubs admitted this year, 20 died, a mortality rate of about 33% against 60% in earlier years [89]. Nine cats aged 8 to 9 months were due to be released into the forest that afternoon, after practicing climbing and hunting in the center's rehabilitation pens [89].
This Samosa Chaat Platter is the ultimate Party appetizer! It's creamy, it's spicy, tangy, crunchy and just so addictive. Samosa spiced Potatoes, crispy chickpeas, chutneys…
60 min4 servings49 ingredients
See the ingredients
1 teaspoon oil
1" ginger (minced)
1/2 green chili (finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or use Kashmiri chili powder for less heat)
1 1/2 cups boiled and cubed potatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
lime juice (or lemon juice, to taste)
dash of garlic powder (optional)
dash of garam masala (optional)
2 teaspoons oil
15 ounce can chickpeas (drained for at least 10 minutes, or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas)
Mercy For Animals
vegconomist the vegan business magazine
