The Stories: the day’s biggest developments, in the sources’ own words
01▲InnovationStory
FDA issues no-questions letters for Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys' animal-free casein
Photo: vegconomist
Formo and Those Vegan Cowboys each received an FDA "no questions" letter for casein made by precision fermentation, and both say it is the first such letter for the ingredient. [79] The letters close the review of a GRAS notice the two firms filed jointly in December 2025, and they cover cheese analogs only, not infant formula or USDA-regulated products. [79] Formo itself points out that a no questions letter ends a GRAS review and is not a product approval. [79]
“FDA clearance opens the door to the US market, and things will now move quickly”
Hille van der Kaa, CEO of Those Vegan Cowboys · [79]
By the numbers
25 grams per 100 gramsis the most the clearance allows in cheese analog applications [79]
GRN 1312is the recombinant αS1-casein notice, which like cow's milk casein is a milk allergen [79]
WatchFormo plans a second GRAS notice, built on the same safety dossier, to cover a wider range of food and nutrition products. [79]
Oatly lowers 2026 profit guidance on North American fuel and freight costs
Photo: vegconomist
Oatly lowered its full-year profit guidance, blaming fuel and freight costs in North America, even as third-quarter net losses narrowed. [44] Europe and International carried the growth while Greater China shrank and slipped back to a loss. [44][77] NielsenIQ data cited by the company put Oatly 2 percentage points behind the leading US oat milk brand, down from 7 points a year ago. [77]
“latest wave of fuel and freight inflation in North America which has been stronger and faster than expected”
WatchOatly expects to finish its strategic review of the Greater China business, which includes a potential carve-out, before the end of the year. [77]
FromJust Foodvegconomist the vegan business magazine
03▼Activism & AnimalsStory
Report on 159 livestock ships finds an aging, converted fleet with the worst inspection record afloat
Photo: faunalytics
A global investigation of the ships that carry farmed animals by sea found that most were converted from other vessel types rather than built for livestock. [98] An international coalition of maritime authorities has ranked livestock carriers the worst-performing vessel type for at least six years running. [98] The animals aboard, mostly sheep and cows, can spend weeks or months at sea, and the report finds their welfare is not systematically addressed once a voyage is underway. [98]
By the numbers
134 of 159ships (84%) were converted, and they average 45 years old [98]
88%of inspections in the latest assessment found at least one deficiency, and 15% ended in detention, nearly four times the average across all ship inspections [98]
565combined detentions across the 159 ships over their lifetimes [98]
193,000animals and 88 crew died in at least ten shipwrecks since 1975 [98]
FromFaunalytics
04▬Research & NutritionStory
Brazilian study links six common sweeteners to faster memory and thinking decline
Photo: sciencedaily
A Brazilian cohort followed for about eight years linked the highest intake of low- and no-calorie sweeteners to faster decline in memory and thinking. [2] Six of the seven sweeteners studied were associated with the decline, and tagatose was the exception. [2][20] The link was stronger in adults under 60 and in people with diabetes. [2] The Neurology paper is observational and lists self-reported diet data and residual confounding among its limits, so it shows an association, not a cause. [20]
“Low- and no-calorie sweeteners are often seen as a healthy alternative to sugar; however, our findings suggest certain sweeteners may have negative effects on brain health over time”
Claudia Kimie Suemoto, MD, PhD, University of São Paulo, study author · [2]
By the numbers
62%faster decline in overall thinking and memory in the highest-intake group than in the lowest, about 1.6 additional years of cognitive aging [2]
35%faster decline in the middle group, about 1.3 additional years [2]
12,772adults across Brazil, 52 years old on average at the start [2]
FromDiet and Weight Loss News -- ScienceDailyPrimary Sources
Worth Knowing
Wins & Culture
Plate pick: Isa Chandra Moskowitz's muffin tin meatloaf presses beans, walnuts and herbs into 12 individual loaves under a ketchup-and-balsamic glaze, baked 15 to 18 minutes at 400°F. [124]
Mondelēz's Swiss holding company alleges the shape of vegan brand Catherine's Originals' O'Bar infringes Toblerone's trademark, and founder Catherine Dodd says she is defending the claim with lawyers. [126]
Innovation
Beyond Meat put Beyond Steak Filet in Sprouts Farmers Market stores, which operate more than 500 locations in 25 states, after earlier launches at Erewhon, Wegmans, H-E-B and Meijer; the company says each serving has 28g of plant protein. [78]
Research & Nutrition
A Physicians Committee survey of 189 researchers who use nonanimal methods found half were asked by peer reviewers to add animal experiments, and one-fifth ran animal experiments they thought unnecessary in anticipation of such requests. [19]
In two small crossover trials with 8 adults and 14 children, pure unsweetened cranberry juice reduced dental plaque regrowth and acid production, while a 27%-juice cocktail and water did not; samples were taken 30 minutes after rinsing, so lasting effects are unproven. [22][17]
Food & Recipes
Vivienne Westwood's Spring/Summer 2027 Paris show used FEVVERS, a plant-based feather alternative, in three looks. [52]
One Good Thing
Cynthia Erivo hosted the SNL UK mid-season finale on October 24 and opened by telling the room, "I stand on the stage as a black, vegan, bisexual woman who is absolutely ripped and heavily pierced. Yes, I really can have it all." [125] Her "Nigerian Wicked (LGBTQ)" sketch has since passed 5.2 million views, with a vegan lead and nobody asking her to explain the diet. [125] She has been vegan since 2013. [125]
vegconomist the vegan business magazine
Just Food
