The last few months have seen a surge in vegan food launches throughout restaurants and supermarkets in the UK, including vegan products being added to menus in typically meat-based eateries. With these releases, has come an onslaught of mixed reactions, and the drama surrounding this has been difficult to escape on TV, radio, online and on social media. There’s been anger from meat-eaters, and upset from vegans, but there’s also been a wave of positivity from people who’ve tried a plant-based dish for the first time, as well as lots of vegans happy that their options are increasing.
In a recent Mintel study, research showed that the UK has become the world’s leader in plant-based food launches. Vegan product launches in Britain increased 200 per cent last year, which is double the number of products launched in 2015. Further to this, a new report by MCA Menu Tracker has revealed that in the spring and summer of 2018, the number of vegan options on UK restaurant menus grew by 237 percent, compared to the year before. Edward Bergen, global food and drinks analyst at Mintel, says: “For a number of years, Germany led the world for launches of vegan products. However, 2018 saw the UK take the helm. Germany has certainly plateaued, likely driven by a flooded market with little room to grow further. The UK, by contrast, has seen a huge promotion of vegan choices in restaurants and supermarkets.”