D.C. and Denver ban foie gras as Starbucks drops Impossible

The Stories: the day’s biggest developments, in the sources’ own words

01▲Activism & AnimalsStory

D.C. and Denver voters pass ballot measures banning foie gras

Voters in Washington, D.C. and Denver passed citizen-petition measures banning the force-feeding of ducks and geese and the sale of foie gras, both led by the group Pro-Animal Future [89]. Denver's version also bans transporting and receiving it [89]. A New York producer has promised a legal challenge [89].

“We’re talking about one practice that is so cruel and is so unnecessary, and that is so associated with the wealthy elite.”

Eva Hamer, executive director, Pro-Animal Future · [89]

“I’m already working with my lawyers”

Marcus Henley, vice president, Hudson Valley Foie Gras · [89]

By the numbers

73%of D.C. voters backed the ban [89]
66.55%of Denver voters backed it [89]
$40-$100 per poundis what foie gras costs in the US [89]

WatchBoth measures take effect July 1, 2027 unless a legal challenge succeeds; Pro-Animal Future will next press D.C. officials to fund enforcement [89].

From

Sentient

02▬Cultivated meat approvalsStory

Appeals court hears challenge to Texas's cultivated meat ban

A federal appeals court heard oral arguments on November 4 in the suit by Upside Foods and Wildtype against Texas's two-year ban on cultivated meat [63]. The companies say the ban was written to shield the state's livestock industry, and Texas says it treats every company alike [63]. The panel, all Trump appointees, has not ruled, and the ban stays in effect in the meantime [63].

“We have our lost revenue, our lost business opportunities, our lost goodwill and our lost time in the market”

Marco Vasquez Jr, attorney, Institute for Justice, for the companies · [63]

“It treats all in-state and out-of-state companies the same by way of a blanket ban”

Douglass Duncan, Texas assistant solicitor general · [63]

By the numbers

$25,000 per dayis the maximum administrative fine and the maximum civil penalty under the law [63]
Up to one yearin jail for a first offence [63]

WatchThe appeals panel has yet to rule, and the two-year ban expires in 2027 [63].

The full timeline: Cultivated meat approvals →

From

Green Queen

03▼Alt protein funding winterStory

Starbucks drops Impossible sandwich, its only plant-based meat item

Starbucks is phasing out the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich across the US this month, ending a partnership with Impossible Foods that began in 2020 [39]. The sandwich was never vegan, since it carried egg, cheddar and a dairy-containing bun, and its exit leaves the chain with no plant-based meat on its advertised US menu [39]. A braised short rib grilled cheese arrives November 5, and Starbucks has not tied the decision to its climate strategy [39].

“We’re proud to have partnered with Starbucks for more than six years to bring Impossible Sausage to breakfast lovers across the country”

Impossible Foods spokesperson, to Green Queen · [39]

“It’s been very apparent for two years now that this company does not care about vegans or dairy-free customers.”

Reddit commenter quoted by VegNews; community sentiment, not reporting · [39]

By the numbers

7 percentrise in Starbucks' total emissions against its 2019 baseline, despite a 17-percent cut in Scope 1 and 2 [39]
8 percentrise in Scope 3 emissions, which make up more than 90 percent of the total [39]

The full timeline: Alt protein funding winter →

From

VegNews.com

04▬Alt protein funding winterStory

Beyond Meat narrows losses and cuts costs as sales fall again

Beyond Meat's revenue fell for a seventh straight quarter, even as its net loss narrowed and its cost of goods sold dropped to a five-year low [64]. Retail sales outside the US grew while US retail and foodservice shrank [64]. CEO Ethan Brown says the mycelium steak filet is the company's best bet, and the price comparison is his claim, not an audited one [64].

“Inflation and misinformation about the healthfulness of our products continue to weigh on US retail”

Ethan Brown, founder and CEO, Beyond Meat · [64]

“Our third quarter results represent measurable progress”

Ethan Brown, founder and CEO, Beyond Meat · [64]

By the numbers

$64.5MQ3 2026 sales, down 8.1% from Q3 2025 [64]
$3.90 per lbcost of goods sold, down 10.1% [64]
$82.8Mnet loss, down 14.6% [64]
$1.23 per ouncefor Beyond Steak Filet at one major US retailer, which Brown says is roughly 40% below the lowest-cost beef steak [64]

WatchBeyond's Q4 outlook is $54-59M in sales [64].

The full timeline: Alt protein funding winter →

From

Green Queen

Worth Knowing

Food & Recipes

Plate pick: no-bake chocolate-dipped peanut butter coconut oat bites from blogger Riley Yahr need peanut butter, maple syrup, gluten-free oats, coconut, vegan chocolate chips and a freezer [40].
Starbucks' holiday menu starts November 5, and the Iced Sugar Cookie Latte, Peppermint Mocha and new Iced Sugar Cookie Cream Matcha can be ordered dairy-free, while the Tiramisu Velvet drinks cannot [46].

Innovation

James Talarico, mocked as "Tofu Talarico" though he never said he was vegan, won Texas's Senate seat by a 12-point margin [66].

Activism & Animals

A Cruelty Free International Trust review found 21% of 300 rat toxicity studies attributed at least one death or clinical sign to the gavage dosing procedure [87].
Iowa's Democratic candidate for agriculture secretary, Chris Jones, lost 47% to 53% after campaigning for stricter rules on large farms, while Democrats won the governor's and attorney general's offices [90].

Law & Policy

Plant-based milk is 10% pricier than dairy milk in Germany but 72% pricier in the UK, one reason GFI Europe cites for Germany's growing market and the UK's stalled one [114].

One Good Thing

Brothers Tom and Bart Grobben turned the cow barns on their family dairy farm in Enschede into a plant-based yogurt facility. Compassion in World Farming has now given their company, De Nieuwe Melkboer, its first Plant Based Leadership Award [71]. The soy comes from their own land and local farmers, and the Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has sold three of their yogurts since February 2025 [71]. A dairy family that bet on soy and got a supermarket shelf is a good sign for any farmer wondering what comes next.

Upside-Down Mushroom Tarts

Plant-based upside-down mushroom tarts combine savory balsamic mushrooms and a cheesy white bean spread for a super easy, flavorful, and satisfying handheld appetizer. (soy-free…

55 min 6 servings 23 ingredients

See the ingredients

15 ounce can white beans (such as cannellini, navy, or Northern beans, drained, or 1 1/2 cups cooked)
2 tablespoons white miso (, use chickpea miso for soy-free)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Zest of 1 small to medium lemon
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons non-dairy yogurt (or non-dairy cream or vegan cream cheese, or omit, if needed)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup vegan cheese shreds (such as vegan mozzarella or Parmesan)
8 ounces mushrooms, (such as button mushrooms or cremini, sliced into 2mm thick slices)
1/2 cup sliced red onion (sliced, then chopped into halves or thirds to match the size of the mushrooms)
2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme)

Get the full recipe at Vegan Richa →

D.C. and Denver ban foie gras as Starbucks drops Impossible

The Quick List

D.C. and Denver voters pass ballot measures banning foie gras

Appeals court hears challenge to Texas's cultivated meat ban

Starbucks drops Impossible sandwich, its only plant-based meat item

Beyond Meat narrows losses and cuts costs as sales fall again

The Stories: the day’s biggest developments, in the sources’ own words

D.C. and Denver voters pass ballot measures banning foie gras

Appeals court hears challenge to Texas's cultivated meat ban

Starbucks drops Impossible sandwich, its only plant-based meat item

Beyond Meat narrows losses and cuts costs as sales fall again

Worth Knowing

Food & Recipes

Innovation

Activism & Animals

Law & Policy

One Good Thing

Upside-Down Mushroom Tarts