FDA clears animal-free casein as Veganuary habits last, Oatly dips
The FDA issued its first no-questions letter for precision-fermented casein, clearing Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys to sell animal-free dairy protein in the US.
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The FDA issued its first no-questions letter for precision-fermented casein, clearing Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys to sell animal-free dairy protein in the US. [101]
02
Veganuary says 82% of last January's non-vegan participants who answered its follow-up survey still eat at least half as many animal products six months on; it is the campaign's own self-reported survey. [68]
03
Oatly grew Q3 revenue 9.1% to $243M but cut its profit outlook, blaming North American fuel and freight inflation. [61]
04
A Class II recall covers more than 1,300 cases of Miyoko's vegan butter in 10 states over possible yeast, mold and E. coli. [39]
05
New South Wales passed the law creating the Great Koala National Park (475,000 hectares, 12,000 koalas), though critics object to its carbon-credit funding. [79]
The movement today▲Innovation▲Wins & Culture▬Food & RecipesThe storylines →
The Stories: the day’s biggest developments, in the sources’ own words
01▲InnovationStory
FDA issues first no-questions letter for precision-fermented casein to Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys
Photo: foodnavigator
The FDA issued its first no-questions letter for precision-fermented casein, clearing Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys to sell the animal-free dairy protein in the US [101][63]. The letter covers cheese alternatives at up to 25% inclusion, and the two firms, who co-developed the protein, now pursue it separately [63]. Green Queen describes it as a milestone ahead of the FDA's proposed elimination of the self-affirmed GRAS pathway [63].
“FDA clearance opens the door to the US market, and things will now move quickly.”
Hille van der Kaa, CEO, Those Vegan Cowboys · [101]
“We also have to be able to produce it at a low cost in an integrated way, meaning that you have to find places and also partners that have availability or access to cheap feedstocks and cheap energy, because you need all of those to do that at a sufficiently large scale”
Will van den Tweel, CTO, Those Vegan Cowboys · [101]
By the numbers
25%maximum inclusion rate in cheese alternatives covered by the FDA's review [63]
above $13 per lbUS whey protein isolate price, more than triple early 2023 levels, the gap Formo is pitching its casein into [63]
WatchThose Vegan Cowboys plans an EU regulatory filing in 2027, and both firms plan another GRAS notice covering wider food and nutrition uses [63].
FromFoodNavigator.comGreen Queen
02▲Wins & CultureStory
Veganuary survey finds 82% of non-vegan participants still eat at least half as many animal products six months on
Photo: vegconomist
Veganuary sent its follow-up survey to 343,459 people who took part in January 2026 and received 1,730 replies [68]. Of respondents who were not vegan before, 82% say they have cut animal products by at least half six months after the campaign [68]. This is Veganuary's own self-reported survey, so it is the campaign's claim about its alumni, not a controlled result [68].
“Many people try Veganuary for the sake of the animals or the climate — and then realize that the change is good for them personally, too,”
WatchVeganuary launches its 2027 campaign in December [68].
Fromvegconomist the vegan business magazine
03▬Food & RecipesStory
Oatly lifts Q3 revenue 9.1% to $243M but cuts its 2026 profit forecast
Photo: green queen
Oatly kept its full-year revenue growth forecast at 8 to 10% but cut its adjusted EBITDA estimate, citing North American fuel and freight inflation [61]. Its North American retail sales rose 7.7% while the wider plant-based milk segment there fell 12.2% [61]. The fibre oat milks reach North America in January 2027 in 48oz packs [61].
“We are impacted by the latest wave of fuel and freight inflation in North America, which has been stronger and faster than expected.”
WatchOatly's strategic review of its Greater China business is due to finish by the end of 2026 and could end in a sale [61].
FromGreen Queen
04▼Food & RecipesStory
Miyoko's vegan butter recalled in 10 states over possible mold and E. coli
Photo: vegnews
Prosperity Organic Foods started the recall on September 11, 2026, and the FDA classified it Class II on October 23, covering Miyoko's Creamery European Style Salted Plant Milk Butter [39]. The FDA says the product may be contaminated with yeast, mold and E. coli, and it was not clear whether any illnesses had been reported [39]. Prosperity bought the brand in late 2025 after an ownership battle with founder Miyoko Schinner [39]. If you have lot code 07871 (UPC 857554005773, best by November 5, 2026), do not eat it; New Seasons Market tells shoppers to contact the store for a refund [39].
“Recalls are a normal part of a food-safety system that is actively looking for problems,”
Wade Syers, food safety specialist, Michigan State University Extension · [39]
10 statesreceived it: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin [39]
Class IIFDA rating, meaning the chance of serious harm is remote, versus Class I's "reasonable probability" of serious harm or death [39]
FromVegNews.com
Worth Knowing
Food & Recipes
Plate pick: VegNews's pumpkin pecan cheesecake gets its filling from a pound of silken firm tofu and a 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree, baked 40 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees. [43]
Research & Nutrition
The Physicians Committee says half of 189 surveyed researchers who use nonanimal methods were asked by peer reviewers to add animal experiments, and one-fifth ran animal experiments they thought unnecessary just to get ahead of such requests. [9]
Plant-Based Health Professionals UK is urging NHS staff to join Veganuary, and says weekday meat-free lunches could save the NHS as much as £2.2 billion a year. [10]
Wins & Culture
Vivienne Westwood showed FEVVERS, a feather-free alternative, in three outfits at Paris Fashion Week, in a trim format meant to fit existing production lines. [113]
Law & Policy
A new Eurobarometer found 51% of Europeans hold a negative view of innovative foods such as cultivated meat and fermentation-made foods, against 19% positive, with the Netherlands most positive at 69%. [103]
A Bulgarian court sentenced two people to two years and two years four months in prison after a CAAI investigation into 81 acts of animal cruelty, the longest such sentence CAAI knows of in the country; both rulings can be appealed. [94]
One Good Thing
In February, a fishing cat arrived at the Jankichara Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in northeast Bangladesh with a dislocated jaw, weighing barely five kilograms. Weeks of tube feeding brought him to 12 kg, and he has now been released into a tea estate wetland wearing a satellite collar. The Creative Conservation Alliance hopes the 135 tea estates in the region could host more such releases, though one outside zoologist calls this one a conflict translocation, not true rewilding. [76]
Luscious saffron, cardamom & pistachio cream layered over an almond crust! These gluten-free Kesar Pista bars secretly pack 7g protein. Perfect for Diwali or any other holiday…
155 min8 servings19 ingredients
See the ingredients
1 cup blanched almond flour
3 tablespoons tapioca starch
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder (or vanilla extract)
2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
3 tablespoons maple syrup (or more, if needed)
8 to 10 strands saffron ((Or use cardamom or vanilla or both))
1/4 cup warmed coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk)
1 cup raw cashews (soaked in warm water for at least 15 minutes)
vegconomist the vegan business magazine
