June 2025

Meat consumption is associated with environmental and animal-welfare harms, and many people consume more than is healthy. Past research has shown that conflicted consumers manage their beliefs in a variety of domains. Based on two independent studies, we test whether eating meat affects people’s preferences for information about the environmental, animal-welfare, and health harms of meat, as well as the alleged environmental benefits of animal agriculture. Our findings are mixed. Eating beef causes information avoidance about the environmental effects of cattle, and eating pork causes people to avoid information about the health effects of pork. Other results were not significant. We interpret these mixed results as suggesting that eating meat causes information avoidance, but the effects are nuanced as they are meat-specific and topic-specific. This project combines the independent explorations of two teams regarding the same research question. The joint conclusion reached differs from the initial independent conclusions. Consequently, this paper also serves as a case study about the sensitivity of scientific interpretation to experimental design.

Droz, B., Buechel, B., Capra, M., Chen, X., Nassar, A., Park, S. G., Xu, J., Zhang, S., & Tasoff, J. (2025). Appetite for Ignorance: Does eating meat cause information avoidance about its harms? European Economic Review, 175, 105013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105013

The substantial environmental footprint of meat production means that dietary shifts are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Insects may offer one alternative, but must first be widely accepted and consumed by the general public. This review evaluates the prospects of insect-based foods to compete with meat. We find that insect-based foods face major challenges, including low consumer acceptance and limited investment. They have a low likelihood of significantly reducing meat consumption, particularly when compared to more accepted plant-based alternatives.

Biteau, C., Bry-Chevalier, T., Crummett, D., Ryba, R., & Jules, M. St. (2025). Beyond the buzz: insect-based foods are unlikely to significantly reduce meat consumption. Npj Sustainable Agriculture, 3(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44264-025-00075-z

Reducing meat and edible animal product (MAP) consumption is a goal of advocates for animal welfare, the climate, and human health. There is a large and growing empirical literature on MAP reduction interventions, but it remains far from clear which interventions are the most effective. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses can remedy this problem by providing stronger evidence than primary sources about which interventions work in which contexts. Evidence synthesis is particularly important for MAP reduction work because the literature is scattered across multiple disciplines (e.g., environmental science, medicine, and animal advocacy), as well as between academic and gray literature. By default, advocates and researchers will struggle to completely and accurately understand the state of the evidence. To contribute to solving this problem, we developed a database of sources investigating interventions to reduce MAP consumption, which we are now releasing as a resource to help advocates and researchers evaluate the evidence base.

Stevenson, B., & Peacock, J. R. (2025). Database of sources investigating interventions to reduce meat and animal product consumption. Rethink Priorities. https://rethinkpriorities.org/research-area/database-of-sources-investigating-interventions-to-reduce-meat-and-animal-product-consumption/

Introduction

Reducing meat consumption and eating a “plant-based diet” is recommended to improve health and environmental outcomes including reducing climate change. One understudied aspect of this dietary recommendation is how it may intersect with diet culture, which equates thinness to health. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between diet culture beliefs and meat limitation, and the potential mediating role of dietary motivation.

Methods

This mixed methods study involved a national U.S. survey of 2,750 rural adults and interviews with 28 adults in Vermont, U.S.A. who limit meat intake. Survey respondents were asked about their dietary pattern, dietary motivations, and beliefs about “good” vs. “bad” foods and fatness. Responses were analyzed using mediation models. Interviews focused on perceptions of and experiences with plant-based eating. Transcripts were thematically coded and analyzed for diet culture beliefs.

Results

Moralizing food and meat limitation were closely related. Health motivations fully mediated the relationship, while weight motivations partially mediated the relationship. Anti-fat beliefs were not related to meat limitation. Over half of interview participants imparted a moralization of “good” vs “bad” onto foods and nearly half discussed the healthfulness of plant-based diets and meat limitation.

Conclusion

These results suggest that food moralization and meat limitation are related, and that individuals’ motivations to lose weight and be healthy may mediate the relationship. Although plant-based diets have potential health and environmental benefits, framing these dietary patterns around restriction may adversely affect eaters’ relationships with food. Further research with more diverse samples is needed.

Jiao, M. F., Abdul-Rahaman, S., Leonetti, M., Pope, L., Rose, K., & Belarmino, E. H. (2025). Diet culture mindset and meat restriction: A mixed methods mediation analysis. The Journal of Climate Change and Health, 23, 100461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100461

Purpose

This study aims to test Singer’s suggestion that ‘over the next 20 years meat could follow smoking into disrepute” using the findings of the recent literature on meat consumption, education and smoking and data from consumers in Switzerland in 1990–2017.

Design/methodology/approach

We hypothesise that meat consumption in developed countries has increasingly shifted to people with less education, as has been observed for smoking in previous studies. Using trend analysis by regressions, we describe the consumption dynamics of nine sorts of meat in Switzerland and estimate meat consumption trends for populations with and without university education separately.

Findings

Our results partly confirm the hypothesis. Less educated households consume more non-fish meat per person than households with at least one member educating or having finished education at university. For most categories of meat, the relative decline in consumption has been significantly higher for households in which at least one person holds a university education.

Originality/value

Our study contributes to the studies on sociology of meat eating and suggests paying more attention to risks related to meat consumption and to awareness of the population about these risks.

Loginova, D., & Mann, S. (2025). Is eating meat the new smoking? Exploring the dynamics between meat consumption and education in Switzerland. International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 52(1), 123–138. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0335

Transitioning to plant-based diets is crucial for building more sustainable food systems and mitigating climate change. However, understanding how laypeople perceive the reduction of meat consumption and how these representations influence food preferences remains underexplored. According to Action Identification Theory, (1) people identify actions in various ways, from means to complex reasons, and (2) emphasizing practical means is a lever to reduce the negative impact of difficulty on action execution (i.e., the optimality hypothesis). In a first correlational study (N = 481), when participants were asked “what one does when limiting meat consumption?”, they identified one set of means and three types of reasons: environmental, health-related, and ethical. Subsequently, although confirmatory analysis did not support the optimality hypothesis, an exploratory latent profile analysis revealed a tendency to focus on means when the action was difficult. However, this did not lead to a stronger intention to reduce meat intake, as only respondents perceiving both reasons and means exhibited greater engagement. In a second study (N = 165), the main analysis did not confirm the optimality hypothesis between action identification and difficulty at the experimental level, but an exploratory analysis indicated that depicting means (vs. reasons) could mitigate the negative effect of past meat consumption on food choices in an in-lab task. Taken together, these two studies suggest that Action Identification Theory could be a relevant framework for examining sustainable food practices. However, further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of means-focused strategies in disrupting the negative influence of habits on switching to more sustainable diets.

Langlais, C., Demarque, C., Mauduy, M., Waroquier, L., Le Moal, M., & Sénémeaud, C. (2025). ‘limiting climate change’ or ‘finding substitutes’: how does action identification influence meat consumption reduction among young adults? Appetite, 108167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108167

Meat is a valuable source of energy since it contains protein and fat. It is also a source of key vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc. However, high meat consumption can have adverse health and environmental effects. The objective of this paper is to discuss the global trends in consumption of meat and meat substitutes and understand their impacts on human health and the environment. It is accepted that the growing emphasis on sustainability underscores the importance of switching to alternatives, as the traditional meat production system faces substantial environmental and resource limits. Reducing meat consumption is vital in decreasing health and environmental impacts caused by meat production and consumption. Nevertheless, veganism may not be the best solution for all people because nutritious plant-based foods are not readily available particularly in low-income nations. Furthermore, livestock farming provides a significant source of earnings for many low-income households. Further research is required to encourage technical and behavioral improvements, while balancing the environment. Considering the above information, this study provides valuable insights into the consumption trend for meat and meat alternatives, encompassing their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Blessie, R. F., Pragalyaashree, M. M., Leya, B., & Nivetha, T. U. (2025). Meat consumption trends: Health impacts, alternatives, and sustainability perspectives. Theory and Practice of Meat Processing, 10(3), 247–264. https://doi.org/10.21323/2414-438X-2025-10-3-247-264

Meat consumption is about more than nourishment. The choice to (not) eat meat often divides people into two groups, between which a social gap exists: meat eaters and meat avoiders. Based upon experimental findings in political environments, we explore whether inter- and intragroup (i.e., having different or same diets) dyadic conversations between male meat eaters and meat avoiders could influence attitudes between these groups. Since meat consumption is highly linked with masculinity, this research focuses on male participants only. An experiment was conducted with N = 148 participants, who were placed in dyadic groups for a conversation on meat consumption and avoidance. Participants’ attitudes towards (the dietary choices of) the dietary in- and out-group, conversation quality and gender identity were measured before and after these conversations. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were used to analyze the data. Our results show that initial attitudes of meat eaters and meat avoiders towards each other were not extreme: even though meat avoiders perceived their own group more positively compared to meat eaters, both groups did not hold overtly negative attitudes towards each other or each other’s diets. The findings further indicated that meat eaters could benefit from having both intergroup and intragroup dyadic discussions on food choices, since their attitudes towards meat avoiders improved in both cases. However, these conversations did not help meat avoiders, as their attitudes towards meat eaters slightly deteriorated in the intragroup discussions. The findings of this study help to enhance our understanding of the social dynamics between meat eaters and meat avoiders, highlighting the potential of open and respectful communication between these two groups in mitigating environmental and health related challenges.

Peeters, A., Ouvrein, G., Dhoest, A., & De Backer, C. (2025). Meat & greet: how inter- and intragroup dyadic interactions influence perceptions of meat eaters and meat avoiders. Appetite, 108169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108169

Transitioning to a plant-dominant food system is crucial for mitigating climate change, improving public health, and reducing animal suffering. However, despite growing awareness of these benefits, meat consumption remains high in most developed countries, and many individuals who intend to reduce their meat intake struggle to follow through. This longitudinal study, grounded in the transtheoretical model of change and cognitive dissonance theory, examines the psychological mechanisms underlying the adoption of a vegetarian diet. Findings suggest that cognitive dissonance mediates the relationship between motivations, barriers to meat reduction, and individuals’ stage of dietary change. Those who successfully transitioned to a vegetarian diet experienced increased cognitive dissonance alongside a decline in health and feasibility barriers. Conversely, individuals who maintained meat consumption despite their intentions faced heightened feasibility barriers and a weakened perception of plant-based food benefits. These insights can assist policymakers and industry professionals in developing stage-specific interventions that address the psychological and practical challenges of meat reduction, ultimately facilitating a shift towards a more sustainable and ethical food system.

Fechner, D., & Isbanner, S. (2025). Understanding the intention-behaviour gap in meat reduction: The role of cognitive dissonance in dietary change. Appetite, 108204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108204

Nowadays, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the husbandry conditions under which animals are raised, particularly broilers, since broilers are one of the species whose welfare is most impaired in intensive farming systems. One of the primary means of communicating husbandry practices to consumers is through product labelling. Thus, a rising number of animal welfare labelling schemes for broilers are being developed and used across Europe by initiatives of both public and private stakeholders, including NGOs that advocate for animal welfare. This review aims to identify, analyze, and compare these labelling schemes with a focus on the main animal welfare provisions included in them, which contribute to enhanced animal welfare. The schemes were identified through web searches, so that we could visit their official websites, access their standards and regulations and study them in detail. We included in our research only those schemes whose criteria were publicly available. In total, 16 schemes were selected and analyzed. Although these schemes vary in their criteria, they all enhance the welfare standards of broiler production, primarily through incorporating environmental enrichment and/or access to the outdoors. Most schemes define and specify in detail the required animal welfare provisions, setting a clear application frame for the raising period of the birds. However, the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter is often overlooked.

Papageorgiou, M., Tzamaloukas, O., & Simitzis, P. (2025). Animal welfare protocols and labelling schemes for broilers in Europe. Poultry, 4(3), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry4030029

In the last decades, significant progress in welfare assessment of commercially farmed species has been achieved. Since then, various initiatives applied and improved existing protocols, or developed new ones for species like farmed rabbits or fish. This has resulted in a wide range of protocols, indicators and measures potentially lacking standardization and harmonization. However, standardized protocols are crucial for generating quantitative and comparable welfare data. In this literature review we (i) provide the state-of-the-art regarding application of welfare assessment protocols under commercial conditions for farmed species, (ii) their representation of the five welfare domains, and (iii) which animal-based welfare indicators have been applied. Further, (iv) we evaluate the alignment of welfare indicators as applied in scientific publications with highly relevant welfare consequences as defined by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for dairy cattle, pigs, broilers, and laying hens. Based on this, we (v) identify strengths and weaknesses regarding the domains covered and use of animal-based indicators, and define areas for further development. Most scientific publications focused on dairy cattle, followed by broilers, pigs and sheep. No publications were found for aquatic invertebrates, insects, fish species other than salmonids, and quails, highlighting the need for welfare assessment protocols for these species. Dairy cattle, horses, and sheep accounted for the highest number of unique indicators. Protocols generally covered all five welfare domains, with health indicators dominating. Animal-based welfare indicators were most prevalent. Common indicators across species were extracted and can be a starting point for the development of assessment protocols for novel species. Highly relevant welfare consequences as defined by EFSA were addressed. In conclusion, while welfare assessment protocols have been developed and tested under commercial conditions for many farmed species, assessment protocols for small-scale farmed species need attention. The wide variety of indicators extracted shows a lack of standardization and harmonization, risking divergence in indicators assessed between protocols. Attention should be given to define standardized welfare indicators per species, enabling comparable data collection related to important welfare issues and benchmarking to improve farm animal welfare.

de Jong, I. C., Ouweltjes, W., Llonch, P., Martin Valls, G. E., Ko, H.-L., Spoolder, H., & Strappini, A. C. (2025). A review of existing scientific literature on welfare assessment of farmed species applied in commercial practice: identification of strengths, weaknesses, and areas for further development. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12, 1589462. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1589462

This study assessed the animal slaughter practices and welfare standards in Bhutan with an aim to identify best practices for animal slaughtering that is suitable and applicable in the country. The study was conducted in Chukha, Dagana, Samdrupjongkhar, Samtse, Sarpang and Tsirang districts where majority of meat is being produced. A total of 749 respondents were involved which included 200 broiler farms, 548 pig fattener farms and one cattle abattoir across six districts. The results revealed substantial reliance on makeshift slaughtering (86.6%) followed by 12.7% slab slaughtering and 0.7% modern slaughtering facility.  Overall, 78.4% of the respondents did not restrain animals prior to slaughter and 82.6% of the broiler and fattener farms did not use any stunning methods. A meager 3.7% of the farm and abattoir personnel reported having some formal training on stunning and slaughtering methods. Out of 18.5% (n=37) broiler farms that used stunning, 29 farms deployed mechanical stunning through blunt object hit and eight farms used electrical stunning. Similarly, out of 16.8% (n=92) fattener farms, 91 farms used mechanical stunning (two captive bolt and 89 sharp/blunt object hit) and one electrical stunning methods. The cattle slaughterhouse used mechanical stunning through sharp object hit behind the nuchal crest. Among various methods of animal slaughter, 48.5% of broiler farms used suffocation method followed by 30.0% manual neck dislocation, 6.0% decapitation, 5.5% each by bleeding and thoracic stick and 2.5% strangulation. Similarly, 97.6% of fattener farms used chest stick for slaughtering pigs followed by 1.8% strangulation, 0.4% suffocation and 0.2% bleeding after stunning. The cattle slaughterhouse used bleeding by severance of blood vessels in the neck after stunning. Overall, this study revealed significant variations in methods and standards of animal slaughtering practices impacting meat hygiene and safety, and compromising animal welfare. In the absence of standard slaughter facilities and prescribed slaughtering methods, lack of competent personnel for animal slaughtering and to minimize risks to personnel, this study recommends the use of captive bolt in cattle and pigs and electrical in poultry as the best method for stunning. This should be followed by suitable slaughter methods either through bleeding by neck stab and chest stick in cattle and pigs and by neck severing in poultry; ensuring welfare of food animals at all times during entire stages preceding the death of an animal. 53.6% of the farms fulfilled the standards prescribed for transportation of meat indicating the poor meat quality and safety thereby highlighting the need to emphasize the strict enforcement of Livestock Rules and Regulations 2017.

Dorjee, J., Penjor, T., Gaylal, J. B., & Thinley, P. (2025). Assessment of animal welfare, slaughter practices and food safety In Bhutan. Bhutan Journal of Animal Science. https://ojs.moal.gov.bt/index.php/bjas/article/view/344 

The second edition of the report features updated data on broiler production in Brazil and the industry’s challenges. The report highlights the Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) protocol as a key tool to ensure broiler chicken welfare and prevent health risks.

Alianima. (2025). Broiler Watch 2025 2nd Edition. Alianima. https://alianima.org/en/materiais/2a-edicao-observatorio-do-frango/

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Laurenzi, M., Raffone, A., & Ehret, G. (2025). Editorial: Animal consciousness: exploring theoretical, methodological and ethical issues. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1627261

This study presents a bibliometric review aimed at mapping and analyzing the scientific literature related to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in livestock farming, which is a rapidly emerging yet still underexplored field in international research. Based on the Scopus database, 151 documents published between 2015 and 2025 were identified and analyzed using the VOSviewer version 1.6.20 and Biblioshiny for Bibliometrix (RStudio version 2023.12.1) tools. The results show a significant increase in publications from 2021 onwards, reflecting the growing maturity of discussions around the integration of digital technologies in the agricultural sector. Keyword co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling analyses revealed the formation of four main thematic clusters, covering technical applications in precision livestock farming as well as reflections on governance, animal welfare, and algorithmic justice. The most influential authors, high-impact journals, and leading countries in the field were also identified. As a key contribution, this study highlights the lack of robust ethical guidelines and proposes future research directions for the development of regulatory frameworks, codes of conduct, and interdisciplinary approaches. The findings underscore the importance of aligning technological innovation with ethical responsibility and social inclusion in the transition to digital livestock farming.

Santana, T. C., Guiselini, C., Pandorfi, H., Vigoderis, R. B., Barbosa Filho, J. A. D., Soares, R. G. F., Araújo, M. de F., Gomes, N. F., Lima, L. D. de, & Santos, P. C. da S. (2025). Ethics, animal welfare, and artificial intelligence in livestock: A bibliometric review. AgriEngineering, 7(7), 202. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7070202

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has the potential to serve as a key policy instrument to financially support higher animal welfare standards on farms across the EU in line with societal demands.

This report is the first qualitative EU-wide review of how well the animal welfare measures in the CAP meet scientific recommendations on animal welfare. It assesses the national measures funded by the CAP and evaluates their ambition.

A key conclusion is that despite the CAP’s potential to deliver on animal welfare, its current implementation does not incentivise the high animal welfare practices needed. In a set of recommendations addressed both at the EU institutions and Member States, opportunities for improvement are identified.

Godfroy, A., & Muro, M. (2025). Improving animal welfare through the Common Agricultural Policy | Eurogroup for Animals. Institute for European Environmental Policy. https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/library/improving-animal-welfare-through-common-agricultural-policy

Halal, an Arabic word meaning “permissible” or “lawful” in Islam, refers to a wide range of practices that align with Islamic teachings. In the context of food, halal refers to items that Muslims are allowed to consume. For animal-based products, this includes specific guidelines for preparation, handling, and processing. Among Muslim consumers, there is a common belief that halal food implies higher standards of animal welfare and avoids practices considered cruel.

However, it’s not always clear whether these beliefs match what actually happens in food production. In this study we ask: How much do Muslim consumers in Turkey know about whether

common industrial farming practices—like debeaking or the killing of male chicks—are actually permitted under halal food standards? And when they are told that these practices are indeed allowed, how do they say it affects their willingness to buy such products—or to consider plant-based alternatives instead?

Sueda Evirgen, F., & Mirzaoglu, G. (2025). I thought that wasn’t Halal! – What Muslim consumers know (and don’t know) about animal welfare in halal food production. Animetrics. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a0KHeR6N8b_l__-xCtwJ6ur3jhh0lPpF/view

This study assessed the occurrence of keel bone lesions and prominence, breast blisters, and footpad lesions at slaughtering on carcasses of laying hens in 50 commercial flocks in Italy. The effects of housing systems (enriched cages, floor system, multi-tier system), supplementary ramps, hen genotype (white vs. brown), age (≤90 vs. >90 weeks), flock size (<25,000, 25,000–80,000, >80,000 hens), and slaughter season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals. As for footpad lesions, compared to hens in multi-tier systems, odd ratio (OR) of occurrence was higher in floor systems (1.43) and lower in enriched cages (0.75); it increased with the slaughtering age (1.41); it was lower in white (0.41) compared to brown hens, and in medium (0.54) and big (0.47) compared to small flocks; then, it was higher in autumn (2.45) and winter (3.37) compared to spring (P<0.001). As for keel bone deviations, OR was lower in hens in floor systems (0.78) and higher in enriched cages (1.41) compared to multi-tier systems (P<0.001); it was higher in white (1.26) compared to brown hens and in medium (1.50) compared to small flocks (P<0.001); it was lower in flocks slaughtered after 90 weeks (0.84) than before and in flocks slaughtered in winter (0.70) compared to spring (P<0.001). As for keel bone fractures, OR was higher in enriched cages (1.66) compared to multi-tier systems; lower in white (0.69) compared to brown hens (P<0.001) and in flocks slaughtered after 90 weeks of age (0.69) than before (P<0.001); then OR was higher both for medium (1.69) and big flocks (1.83) compared to small flocks (P<0.001), and in winter (2.94) compared to spring (P<0.001). In conclusion, keel bone and skin lesions are important on-farm welfare indicators, with genotype and housing system playing key roles in their occurrence. Further research is needed to better understand the impacts of flock size and slaughter season on the welfare of laying hens.

Nalesso, G., Ciarelli, C., Menegon, F., Bordignon, F., Urbani, R., Di Martino, G., Polo, P., Sparesato, S., Xiccato, G., & Trocino, A. (2025). On-farm welfare of laying hens: animal-based measures at slaughterhouse and risk factors in Italian farms. Poultry Science, 104(6), 105152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105152

A representative sample of Maltese citizens (N = 384) was surveyed about their perception and attitude towards animal welfare and animal-friendly foods. Knowledge about animal welfare was self-evaluated as moderate (36%) or good (27%), and mass media (television, web and newspapers) were the primary information source (73%). Dairy cows were perceived as having the highest welfare (average rating 3 on a 1-to-5 scale), while conditions for broilers and pigs were perceived as more critical (average rating 2.7). Respondents consider animal welfare important (64%), the availability of welfare-friendly products in Malta limited (49%), and would support a national animal-friendly label (84%). Although 49% were willing to pay more for animal-friendly products, the accepted price increase was limited (increase below 10% for 37% of respondents, 20% were not willing to pay more and 27% were price-sensitive). Chi-squared analysis showed that the respondents’ profession impacted the support towards an animal welfare label (p < 0.01), with business operators being the least interested. Urban respondents were more critical toward farm animal welfare and more supportive of establishing a national welfare label than rural respondents (p < 0.05). The latter were less convinced that their choices can influence the welfare of farm animals (p < 0.01). Women were more willing to pay for welfare improvements than men (p < 0.01). These findings emphasize a significant concern for animal welfare among respondents, coupled with a moderate willingness to pay. The strong support for a national animal welfare label warrants the question as to whether transparent labelling would allow consumers to translate their sensibility into ethical purchasing behaviour.

Gemma, P., Nannoni, E., Padalino, B., Peli, A., Alexander, F. L., Buonaiuto, G., Sardi, L., & Martelli, G. (2025). Perception and awareness of animal welfare among residents of Malta. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 15(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15111634

Intensive farms are proliferating across Europe, with thousands of industrial scale livestock units now in operation. Should we be worried?

Prandi, S., Villadiego, L., Pihan, N., Thomas, P., Starr, L., Colley, C., & Skrzypczyk, A. (n.d.). The face of European farming. Activist.Agency. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://stories.agtivistagency.com/the-face-of-european-farming/

Pre-slaughter processes impact trout production, but the optimization of pre-harvest crowding in an industry affected by global warming has scarcely been studied. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two crowding methods on the welfare of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) across two seasons (winter and summer). Each season 660 trout were distributed into separate tanks, and two crowding methods were applied: reducing water level (WL) and applying lateral compression (LC) within the tanks. Welfare indicators included plasma metabolites and tissue color, while fillet quality was evaluated based on indicators such as muscle color, muscle pH, and rigor mortis. These parameters were evaluated to determine the impact of each crowding method on both fish welfare and fillet quality. Tests were conducted in winter (8.80 ± 1.79°C) (WI) and summer (22.0 ± 0.06°C) (SU). Cortisol, creatine phosphokinase, and lactate levels in plasma were lower using WL, indicating a reduced stress response, supported by various skin color attributes (a*, b*, C*, and h*), liver (a*, C*, and h*), and fillet (h*). Similarly, muscle acidification (pH) was lower using LC, which could lead to potential texture deterioration. Temperature was a crucial factor globally across all parameters, with better results in WI. The combination of both treatments showed, on one hand, abnormal values of cortisol, glucose, and skin color attributes (a* and C*) and fillet (24 h post-mortem) (b* and C*) in summer LC, and on the other, better muscle pH and fillet color (b* and C*) at 0 h post-mortem using WL in WI. Overall, stress response was lower and fillet quality was better in WL fish. This trend was similar in winter compared to summer trout, regardless of the crowding method. Despite the poorer outcomes from LC, whether due to increased swimming difficulties or worse distribution of dissolved oxygen, its use in summer is discouraged due to cumulative effects, recommending its use only in winter when unavoidable.

De la Llave‐Propín, Á., Martínez Villalba, A., Bermejo‐Poza, R., Villarroel, M., Pérez, C., González de Chávarri, E., Cabezas, A., González Garoz, R., Fernández‐Muela Garrote, M., De la Fuente, J., & Díaz, M. T. (2025). Effect of pre‐slaughter crowding on rainbow trout welfare and product quality. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 56(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.70025

The aquaculture industry is growing rapidly, prompting an increased focus on improving the welfare of fish. While meeting physical, psychological, and behavioural needs remains a priority, the concept of resilience offers a deeper approach, moving beyond need fulfilment to actively enhance the capacity of fish to adapt, recover, and thrive. This scoping review assessed the evidence for resilience building in farmed fish through two forms of environmental enrichment: physical exercise and stressor predictability training. These enrichment types are described in terms of three key mechanisms involved in building resilience: coping with stress, cognitive flexibility, and behavioural adaptability. Exercise, particularly at moderate levels, can help regulate stress responses, promote neuroplasticity, and encourage positive social behaviours. Stressor predictability can also reduce the magnitude of stress responses and support proactive coping strategies by allowing fish to anticipate and prepare for environmental challenges. The relationship between resilience and fish welfare was also examined, highlighting the potential of these approaches as welfare management tools for aquaculture. The effectiveness of such interventions is likely to be species- and context-dependent, with outcomes influenced by how fish perceive and experience environmental conditions and practical constraints of large-scale aquaculture systems. However, integrating resilience-building strategies into aquaculture practices may not only enhance welfare but also improve production efficiency and economic performance, helping the industry meet societal expectations and long-term sustainability goals.

Spiliopoulos, O., Brown, C., Hilder, P., Tilbrook, A., & Descovich, K. (2025). The path to resilience: improving welfare in aquaculture through physical exercise and stressor predictability training. Reviews in Aquaculture, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.70051

Data-driven solutions can support stakeholders’ decision-making when managing health and welfare in Atlantic salmon production. While many different types of data are being collected, knowledge about stakeholders’ use and needs regarding this data and data tools in their day-to-day work is limited. The current study explores the status quo of using data and data tools in salmon health management and needs of the stakeholders. Fourteen focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews were completed and analysed in Norway, Scotland and Ireland with salmon production managers, health experts and health inspectors from government and certification bodies (N = 44). Results showed that the participants valued the role that reliable data can play in salmon health management. Factors that influence data utilisation for decision-making were identified using the data lifecycle concept (i.e., the flow from collection to analysis and sharing). Generally, stakeholders preferred timely, ideally automatically recorded, standardised and high-quality data and wished for a tool that offers convenient access to data and facilitates data search and compilation. Furthermore, the comfort with which stakeholders use data tools varied, ranging from some stakeholders welcoming support from decision support tools to others preferring to rely mostly on their personal experience when analysing data. While some data sharing is mandatory (e.g., reporting of mortality from industry to authorities), the participants reported other forms of data sharing (e.g., informal exchange of information, not data, across companies). Lack of contextual factors contributes to a hesitancy to share data (e.g., lack of perceived benefits and fear over potential misuse). In Norway, stakeholders were more open to share data between the salmon industry and authorities. Being used to reporting more data, combined with operating in a larger industry where individual farms are not easy to single out from aggregated statistics, may have contributed to gaining trust among participants in Norway. However, in all three countries, some participants were reluctant to share data with the public or tied it to preconditions (e.g., ensuring it was presented in the right context, with explanations on the background for mortality), while others highlighted positive effects of sharing data, such as benchmarking and increased focus on preventive measures. Addressing barriers to data and data tool utilisation provides valuable insights that could benefit salmon health management and sustainability of the sector.

Zhou, X., Boerlage, A. S., Jensen, B. B., Gismervik, K., Oliveira, V. H. S., Hutchinson, I., Burrell, A., Graham, D. A., Doidge, C., Kaler, J., van Schaik, G., Siegrist, M., & Bearth, A. (2025). The use of data for health and welfare management of farmed salmons in Norway, Scotland, and Ireland. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 239, 106512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106512

This narrative review examines adolescents’ perceptions of sustainable dietary characteristics, including local eating, plant-based diets, organic food, and food waste, and how these influence their understanding and behavior. Evidence indicates that adolescents often have simplified conceptions of these practices, which leads to misconceptions. Local food is frequently perceived as inherently more sustainable despite complex factors such as seasonality, production methods, and transportation. Although reducing meat consumption is crucial for environmental impact, adolescents may struggle to understand sustainable protein sources and animal-based foods in various contexts. Although viewed positively, the benefits and limitations of organic food remain poorly understood. Food waste is recognized as significant; however, adolescents often focus on individuals rather than on systemic drivers. Schools play a pivotal role in the promotion of food literacy and sustainable dietary habits. Educational interventions that integrate sustainability into curricula, provide hands-on learning, and engage families can help adolescents to develop critical thinking skills and make informed food choices. Strategies such as promoting a plant-based diet, sourcing local produce, incorporating organic options, and implementing waste reduction programs can create environments that support sustainable eating habits. These efforts must be context-sensitive, culturally relevant, and grounded in understanding food systems. By empowering adolescents to question assumptions, recognize complexities, and take action, schools can cultivate a generation capable of leading the transition towards healthier and more sustainable diets.

Silva, P. (2025). Adolescents’ perceptions of sustainable diets: Myths, realities, and school-based interventions. Sustainability, 17(12), 5323. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125323

This study investigated the perceptions of animal welfare and the consumption of alternative protein sources among future professionals in agronomy, food science, and veterinary medicine. A sample of 769 participants from three faculties [ESALQ (“Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture), FZEA (School of Animal Science and Food Engineering), and FMVZ (School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science)] of the University of São Paulo was used. These faculties have different teaching focuses: agronomy, food and animal production, and veterinary, respectively. A relationship between the perception of animal welfare and alternative sources of protein based on the participants’ educational background was verified, specifically: (i) participants from the FZEA (food science) and FMVZ (veterinary) units would be interested in consuming farmed meat and expressed interest in trying it; (ii) students from the ESALQ (agronomy) have a low level of knowledge about animal welfare and are not very interested in knowing how animals are reared, and few participants attribute the presence of the health inspection seal as influencing their purchasing intention; (iii) participants, regardless of their academic background, did not express an intention to reduce their red meat consumption; (iv) the ESALQ was the campus which showed the most skepticism about animal sentience; (v) most participants from the FMVZ and FZEA reported being willing to pay 4–5% more for products that guarantee animal welfare. The findings suggest that the academic context influences individuals’ perceptions and food choices, highlighting the need for educational strategies that foster a greater awareness of animal welfare, encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices, and promote the acceptance of alternative protein sources within the agri-food sector.

Patinho, I., Silveira, R. M. F., Saldaña, E., Arno, A., Castro Júnior, S. L. de, & Silva, I. J. O. da. (2025). A Multidisciplinary view on animal welfare and alternative protein: Convergences and perspectives from professionals in agricultural, food, and veterinary sciences. Foods, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14122140

Plant-based seafood alternatives (PBSAs) can play an important role in addressing ecological, ethical, and health concerns associated with traditional seafood consumption. However, replicating the complex organoleptic qualities of seafood remains a significant challenge. This study investigates the flavour characteristics of 16 PBSAs and 21 PB seafood flavouring agents through sensory evaluation and volatile profiling using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Sensory analyses revealed significant differences in odour profiles, with authentic seafood samples exhibiting stronger marine and fish-like odours, while PBSAs displayed pronounced vegetable and beany notes. Volatile analysis identified key seafood odourants that were either absent or present in excessive concentrations in PBSAs, contributing to mismatched sensory perceptions. Additionally, PB flavouring agents demonstrated diverse volatile profiles and odour attributes based on their formulation strategies. Notably, while some flavouring agents successfully delivered seafood-like odours with key volatile profiles consisting of typical seafood odourants, others contained compounds unrelated to seafood profiles. These findings highlight the limitations of current PBSA flavour formulations, particularly in replicating the subtle odour characteristics of seafood.

Luo, J., Frank, D., & Arcot, J. (2025). Consumer perceptions and volatile profiles of plant-based seafood alternatives and flavouring agents. Future Foods, 11, 100617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2025.100617

Background/Objectives: The ongoing obesity epidemic remains a significant public health challenge in the U.S. Nearly one-third of adults are overweight, and nearly half of the population (42.4%) are obese. These conditions, driven by poor and unsustainable diets, are major risk factors for several chronic diseases, including heart disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death in the country. This review aims to examine existing research on health care professionals’ attitudes and perceptions of plant-based nutrition and explore how this knowledge can be utilized to promote the adoption of plant-based diets (PBDs) among Americans as an alternative to the standard American diet. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched in April, 2024. Out of the 151 articles identified, 27 were deemed eligible and included in the narrative review. Results: Nine key themes were identified as major influences on the attitudes and behaviors of health professionals regarding PBDs. These themes were mapped with the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to stratify key enablers and barriers to implementation of PBDs in routine care for patients. Conclusions: Key barriers to incorporating plant-based nutrition into routine care include time constraints, limited educational resources, insufficient skills, lack of multidisciplinary collaboration, and inadequate professional training. Access to evidence-based research summaries, clear guidelines, ongoing professional development, and other relevant educational resources were identified as facilitators of successfully integrating PBDs into everyday practice.

Sempa, J., Brenes, P., Whitehair, K., Hobbs, L., & Kidd, T. (2025). Decoding health professionals’ attitudes and perceptions towards plant-based nutrition: A narrative review. Nutrients, 17(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132095

It is widely accepted that reducing the consumption of animal-based products bodes well for improving planetary and human health. Plant-based meat and dairy alternatives (PBMDAs) can contribute to this transition. How products are described is an important mechanism in enhancing their appeal. Product descriptors of PBMDAs vary in abstraction, ranging from indicating the absence of animal-based ingredients (e.g., meat-free burger) to identifying the presence of plant-based ingredients (e.g., plant-based burger) to highlighting the primary ingredient (e.g., lentil-based burger). Considering this, the study explored how British consumers (n=1073) rationalise abstract to concrete product descriptors and how this influences appeal, taste, health, and sustainability expectations. Many consumers find PBMDAs most appealing when described with high levels of abstraction, by simply describing the product as meat-or dairy-free. Similarly, the mentioning of explicit ingredients can carry pre-existing connotations. While appeal for PBMDAs differed significantly by abstraction, this variation was less pronounced in taste expectations, and even less so in terms of health and sustainability expectations. This implies that manufacturers can leverage abstract product descriptors for more flexibility in product formulation. Additionally, it helps integrate economical, functional and underused substitutes, including food by-products and novel proteins, which may not otherwise have widespread appeal.

Lieke, S.-D., Erhard, A., & Stetkiewicz, S. (2025). Do ingredients matter? Exploring consumer preference for abstract vs. concrete descriptors of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. Future Foods, 11, 100522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100522

Purpose

This study aims to advance the existing understanding on meat consumers’ perception towards plant-based meat (PBM) by incorporating a contextual approach. An integrated model comprising consumer consciousness, theory of planned behaviour and meat attachment was developed to comprehend the Indian young consumers’ intention to consume PBM.

Design/methodology/approach

Four Tier 1 cities in India served as the survey sites for the collection of the data (n = 650), which was then subjected to structural equation modelling analysis.

Findings

Social commitment (SC) emerged out as the strongest performer in the importance performance matrix index, while attitude (ATT) was the strongest predictor of intention to consume PBM. All three constructs of consumer consciousness significantly influenced consumers’ ATT and SC. To the authors’ surprise, meat attachment did not significantly moderate the relationship between the key variables. This finding is unique, as many civilizations, where meat has been given the status of essential food in dietary preferences, showed a greater attachment to conventional meat.

Originality/value

This study provides a distinctive insight that offers additional psychological routes on sustainable meat consumption’s complexity in a contextual setting. Also, it extends the role of SC in sustainable consumption, otherwise, largely discussed in the organizational behaviour domain only.

Saini, M., & Prakash, G. (2025). Examining Indian young consumers’ intentions to consume sustainable meats: A case of plant-based meat. Journal of Indian Business Research, 17(2), 164–191. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIBR-01-2024-0018

The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable food systems by examining the multifaceted factors that influence the adoption of meat replacers. Based on the sustainable food system framework, the main objective was to develop a comprehensive model that explores the complex interactions among economic, socio-cultural, ethical, and environmental factors influencing the adoption, barriers, impacts, and long-term sustainability of meat replacers in Romania. Consequently, the resulting Causal Network Model provides a detailed understanding of the dynamics that influence the adoption of meat replacers in Romania. Inductive coding of the interviews highlighted opportunities and challenges, and the findings showed that economic incentives such as subsidies and research support could enhance market access. At the same time, high production costs and cultural resistance posed significant barriers. Participants raised concerns about the nutritional properties of plant-based alternatives and the health risks of highly processed meat replacers. Ethical considerations were emphasized, including the possible marginalization of small farmers due to the rise in industrial meat production. Despite the recognized environmental benefits, such as reduced carbon footprints, many participants were skeptical about the long-term sustainability of these products. This integrated approach underscores the need for a holistic understanding of the factors that drive and hinder the shift toward meat replacers.

Petrescu-Mag, R. M., Pistea, I., Ginsca, C., Cuibus, L., & Petrescu, D. C. (2025). Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 21, 101803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.101803

In the context of unsustainable food choices and consumption patterns, transition to plant-based diets is considered a pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The youths, and university students in particular, represent a distinctive demographic group with great potential to follow plant-based diets, but limited knowledge concerning the prevalence and motivations of plant-based diets exists in the Global South. The aim of this study this research was to examine the prevalence of, motivations for and barriers to plant-based diets among Rhodes University students in South Africa. A total of 300 students responded positively to an online questionnaire survey. About 31% of the survey students followed a plant-based diet but this figure dropped to 18% when flexitarians were excluded from the analysis, with more females than males reporting so. The leading motivation for following plant-based diets was animal welfare concerns, followed by environmental sustainability, personal health, influence of family and friends, taste preference, saving money and sensory issues. There was a significant positive association between values relating to the environment – respecting the earth and protecting the environment and following a plant-based diet. Key barriers to plant-based diets reported included perceived high costs and lack of knowledge on plant-based diets. Interventions for promoting plant-based diets should make explicit, links between plant-based diets and the values people consider important and focus on removing constraints to encourage uptake of plant-based diets.

Andersson, C., & Thondhlana, G. (2025). Plant-based diets among students at Rhodes University, South Africa: Prevalence, motivations, and barriers. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1429770

Objective. To assess perspectives on transitioning towards more plant-based diets for health and environment in the Icelandic population.

Methods. Online questions to a country representative panel (N=2452; >18 years): (1) transition towards more plant-based personal diets for health and the environment, (2) inclusion of education on plant-based diets in preschool and elementary school curricula and (3) supporting farmers for production of more plant foods. Differences between answers according to demographics were tested by χ2 test.

Results. (1) 37% of respondents were positive towards personal diet transition, 33% were negative, (2) 51% were positive towards education about plant-based diets in preschools and elementary schools, 14% negative, (3) 73% were positive towards supporting farmers to increase production of plant foods, 5% negative. Women, those living in the capital area and those with university education were more positive to the changes than men, people living outside the capital area and people with lower educational level, respectively (p<0.01).

Conclusions. More than one-third of adult Icelanders had positive perspectives to transitions towards more plant-based personal diets, and a majority supported incorporation of education on plant-based diets, health and environment in schools. The strongest agreement was found for support to farmers to produce more varied plant-based foods.

Birgisdottir, B. E., Thorisdottir, B., Halldorsson, T., & Thorsdottir, I. (2025). Perceptions on changes towards plant-based diets for health and environmental benefits: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 8(1), e001191. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2025-001191

This study examines the differences in food consumption behaviors between generations Y and Z to support the strategy development for a generational transition towards sustainable food consumption. Empirical data for the study is collected through an online survey with the participation of 175 young people in Germany. The Young Consumers’ Sustainable Consumption Behaviors (YCSCB) scale by Fischer et al. (2017) is applied as a foundation for questionnaire development with necessary adaptation to the topic of the study. This analysis theoretically breaks down the sustainable food consumption behavior measurement into thematic sub-categories that reflect specific aspects of food consumption among young adults, including throwaway-, carnivore-, healthy-lifestyle, food awareness, and food cost saving. The findings show that generation Z has greater food cost savings than generation Y. Besides age, correlations between gender and sustainable parental household to sustainable food awareness and food cost savings were also found. In order to efficiently promote sustainable consumption ideology and habits to different generations, businesses and social policies should tailor marketing and education campaigns such as emphasizing food cost saving to generation Z, or highlighting health benefits to men. The methodology and measurement scale applied in this study could be replicated in different research settings across different population groups and contextual factors.

Doan, M. H., Drossel, A.-L., & Sassen, R. (2025). Sustainable food consumption behaviors of generations Y and Z: A comparison study. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 17, 100272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100272

In recent decades, the debate on climate change has progressively become interconnected with that on food choices, highlighting how cultural habits can influence the environmental impact of diets. In particular, the Mediterranean diet and the vegan diet represent two distinct dietary models that, although both considered sustainable, have significant differences in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption. In this paper, these effects were mapped and quantified in order to compare them and to offer an instrument for political decisions, for example for strategies to orientate future habits and consumptions in food.

Danese, M., & Biscione, M. (2026). When culture influences climate changes: Quantifying the effects of the mediterranean vs the vegan diet in Italy. In O. Gervasi, B. Murgante, C. Garau, Y. Karaca, M. N. Faginas Lago, F. Scorza, & A. C. Braga (Eds.), Computational science and its applications – ICCSA 2025 workshops: istanbul, turkey, june 30 – july 3, 2025, proceedings, part IX (Vol. 15894, pp. 3–17). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-97648-3_1

In the face of growing environmental pressures, understanding how governance can promote more sustainable dietary behaviours is increasingly critical. However, a synthesis of available intervention strategies for behavioural change is currently missing. This umbrella review synthesizes findings from 29 reviews published between 2018–2024, assessing effectiveness of governance interventions aimed at reducing consumer-level food waste and shifting diets toward more environmentally sustainable patterns, particularly reducing meat consumption and increasing the uptake of more sustainably produced foods. Using a dual-method approach, combining narrative synthesis and effect direction analysis, we evaluated interventions through the lens of behavioural change theory. A majority of interventions demonstrated positive effects, especially those targeting food waste, which tend to face fewer cultural and motivational barriers than dietary changes such as meat reduction. Information-based interventions were most commonly studied. While they effectively raise awareness and influence attitudes, there is broad consensus that they are insufficient in isolation to drive substantial behaviour change. Interventions that restructure the decision-making context, such as setting vegetarian meals as default, removing trays in canteens, or reducing portion sizes, consistently showed positive effects. Written and verbal cues were effective in reducing food waste, while results were more mixed for meat reduction. Feedback and goal-setting strategies appear promising, but have been evaluated mostly through stated, rather than observed, behaviours. Fewer studies examined incentivising, coercive, or training-based interventions, though these approaches may offer higher impact if implemented appropriately. Overall, the findings highlight the need to combine intervention types to target the full range of behavioural determinants: capability, opportunity, and motivation. We also highlight the need for more rigorous, long-term, and context-sensitive research. Finally, we offer recommendations for policy makers and researchers, emphasizing that consumer-focused efforts must be integrated into a broader, cross-sectoral policy strategy, spanning health, agriculture, environment, and education, to enable substantial change in food consumption behaviours.

Ran, Y., Persson, U. M., Lindahl, T., Jonell, M., Brons, A., Macura, B., Candel, J., Abu Hatab, A., & Röös, E. (2025). Are interventions for environmentally sustainable dietary behaviours effective? A review. Environmental Research: Food Systems, 2(3), 032001. https://doi.org/10.1088/2976-601X/adda4e

Whole food plant-based (WFPB) nutrition supports prevention and management of cardiometabolic disease. Greater intake of whole plant foods may lower chronic disease burden in high-risk communities. Exposing community leaders to the benefits of WFPB nutrition may lead them to recommend it to constituents. The intervention consisted of online live classes and peer mentorship. Participants strove to adopt an ad-libitum WFPB diet without added oil and with minimal sugar and salt for 21 days. The program was assessed in a focus group, and with pre/post-program surveys measuring nutrition knowledge, health-related QOL, dietary intake, and mental health. Program-related changes in outcomes were measured using paired t-tests or McNemar’s tests. Qualitative data evaluation used inductive methods. Of the 26 participants who agreed to participate, 13 (62%) completed the program. All were Black female community leaders with average age of 59.2±13.1 years. Most (84.6%) reported ≥ 1 chronic disease. Statistically significant program-related improvements were found in nutrition knowledge, BMI, energy levels and mental clarity. Other changes did not reach statistical significance. Most (92%) said they would recommend the program to others. Participants identified high quality educational content and peer mentorship as program strengths. Potential barriers to future community participation included inconsistent healthcare provider support of WFPB nutrition, the perception that WFPB nutrition is expensive/lacks variety, and difficulty giving up meat due to cultural traditions. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting an online WFPB dietary intervention for this population. The data collected will inform a planned expanded study.

Besson, A. D., Reisner, L. L., Mosaad, A. T., Smith, A. N., Afable, A., & Purchase-Helzner, E. (2025). Evaluation of a Whole Food, Plant-Based Nutrition Intervention Program for Black Leaders in Brooklyn, NY. Journal of Community Health, 50(5), 975–984. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-025-01484-4

We present 9 recommendations to improve communication about plant-based foods to support more widespread adoption of sustainable diets. These recommendations are tailored to different sources of communication but centre around three main ideals, namely to make communication about plant-based foods (1) consistent, (2) reward-focused and (3) practical. These recommendations can help to tackle misconceptions about plant-based foods and encourage the widespread adoption of sustainable diets that is necessary for human and planetary health.

Davis, T., Stewart, C., & Papies, E. K. (2025). How can communication about plant-based foods support sustainable food system transformation? Nine recommendations for government, industry and citizen. Current Environmental Health Reports, 12(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-025-00489-4

Purpose

To evaluate changes in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and nutritional composition of food procured for public meals for senior citizens from 2018 to 2022 in the city of Copenhagen. This provides a mid-way evaluation of the Food Strategy aimed at reducing the GHGE of public meals by 25% and assessing whether the municipality is on track to meet its reduction goals.

Methods

Each food item purchased was matched with food composition and GHGE data, both with and without carbon opportunity costs. Data was analyzed separately for 2018, 2022, and both halves of 2022, as well as for different settings. Additionally, materials and initiatives provided by the City of Copenhagen were identified.

Results

Across settings, a GHGE reduction of 14% (GHGE including carbon opportunity costs), and an 11% decrease in meat content was found from 2018 to 2022. Changes varied widely between settings with the largest reduction (30%) seen for the central kitchen producing mainly hot meals, while nursing homes providing full-day meals reduced GHGE by 10%. No changes were observed for the protein content, which did not meet the nutritional target for older adults. Municipal initiatives included meal guidelines and a recipe database provided in 2021. Additionally, by 2022, approx. one in five nursing homes, along with the central kitchen, had completed a tailored training program.

Conclusion

The municipality is making progress towards meeting GHGE reduction goals for public meals for senior citizens. Further efforts are needed to increase pulses and other protein-rich plant-based products in daily meals.

Lassen, A. D., Nordman, M., Christensen, L. M., & Trolle, E. (2025). Providing healthy and climate-friendly public meals to senior citizens: a midway evaluation of a municipality’s food strategy. European Journal of Nutrition, 64(5), 204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-025-03728-4

This month’s Faunalytics Index provides facts and stats about environmental NGOs and animal agriculture, plant-based eating in Canada, USDA grant distribution, and more.

Ólafsson, B. (2025). Tactics In practice: The science of vegan challenges. Faunalytics.

Orzechowski, K. (2025). Faunalytics Index – June 2025 – Faunalytics. Faunalytics. https://faunalytics.org/faunalytics-index-june-2025/

Food production, particularly meat consumption, poses severe environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water depletion, and nutrient runoff. Despite the urgency of reducing meat consumption, traditional norms and cultural values reinforce its centrality in Western diets, limiting the effectiveness of environmental campaigns. This study examines the underexplored role of individual cultural values in shaping responses to environmental NGO campaigns promoting sustainable meat consumption. Analyzing data from 514 respondents across five European countries with diverse national cultures, the research highlights the significant influence of three cultural values: power distance, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance. These values were found to diminish the effectiveness of campaigns emphasizing environmental degradation and animal welfare. The findings contribute to the literature on sustainable food behaviors by underscoring the unique cultural dynamics involved in meat consumption at the individual level. Practical recommendations are offered to NGOs, policymakers, and managers for tailoring campaigns to address cultural nuances and drive sustainable dietary transitions.

Parguel, B., Charry, K., Pantin-Sohier, G., & Thomas, F. (2025). The role of cultural values in the effectiveness of environmental NGO campaigns on sustainable meat consumption. Appetite, 108150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108150

Children morally prioritize humans over animals less than adults do. Is this because children are less speciesist—meaning they place less moral weight on mere species membership? Or is it because they give less weight to differences in cognitive capacity between humans and other animals? We investigated this in two experiments, presenting children and adult participants in the U.S. and Spain with moral trade-off dilemmas. These dilemmas involved individuals who varied in species membership (human vs. monkey) and cognitive capacity. Across both cultures, children were less likely than adults to prioritize humans over animals, regardless of cognitive capacity. Additionally, participants tended to prioritize individuals with higher cognitive capacities, regardless of species membership—though this effect was less robust in children. Our findings suggest that children in these Western contexts are indeed less speciesist than adults, though they do not rule out developmental changes in the moral weight assigned to cognitive capacity.

Caviola, L., Wilks, M., Suárez Yera, C., Allen, C., Kahane, G., McGuire, L., Faber, N. S., Rojas Tejada, A. J., Sánchez Castelló, M., Ordóñez Carrasco, J., & Bloom, P. (2025). Becoming speciesist: How children and adults differ in valuing animals by species and cognitive capacity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:464a8414-820c-43bf-b608-0e7ae06191b0

Caring for Pacific salmon – one of the most iconic creatures of the North American West Coast – is not a straightforward task but is based on diverse understandings and relationships between salmon, people and the more-than-human environment. Local small-scale interactions, in particular, shape individual motivations to care for these fish and understand how best to do this. This article emerges from a collaborative research project with the Heiltsuk Nation, whose territory is located on the Central Coast of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Through ethnographic engagement with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents and visitors of this area, this article illustrates that close interactions are at the core of why and how people care for salmon. Drawing on theoretical engagements with the concept, care is understood not as an innocent notion but as a complicated set of practices that can also involve killing salmon. These salmon-human interactions transcend unidirectional dominance, evolving into reciprocal exchanges that distribute responsibility across species boundaries.

Mund, S. I. (2025). Caring for Pacific salmon: Reconsidering salmon‐human relationships. Anthropology Today, 41(3), 4–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8322.12963

Since 2020 Pakistan’s superior courts have re-imagined the country’s colonial animal-welfare patchwork as an incipient rights regime, grounding protections in constitutional dignity, scientific evidence of sentience and Qur’anic ethics of mercy. This article analyses whether that doctrinal leap is being matched by enforcement and legislation. Using an integrated socio-legal methodology—doctrinal coding of thirty-five judgments, text mining of four provincial bills, a compliance database of eighty- eight structural directives, and twenty-two elite interviews—the study maps the emerging feedback loop between benches, legislatures and street-level inspectors. Results reveal a rapidly consolidating “dignity–sentience–mercy” triad and a 66 % shift from welfare to fundamental rights language. Compliance, however, remains uneven: discrete relocation orders enjoy 100 % success, yet diffuse mandates attain only 38 % full implementation unless backed by modern statutes with credible fines and ring-fenced funds. Legislative borrowing is vigorous—half of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 2024 Act mirrors court dicta—but provincial divergence invites regulatory arbitrage. Stakeholder interviews affirm growing public support but warn that cultural resistance endures in districts and rural municipalities. The article concludes that Pakistan’s experiment can mature into a durable interspecies-justice architecture only if federal harmonization, inspectorate training and budgetary earmarks accompany the courts’ doctrinal ambition.

Anjum, R., Barkat, A., & Jatoi, A. A. (2025). Fragmentation to framework: Harmonizing animal protection laws across Pakistan. Research Journal for Social Affairs, 3(4), 117–127. https://doi.org/10.71317/RJSA.003.04.0266

This Handbook establishes the field of Global Animal Law, which engages with the legal status and protection of animals in today’s globalised world. GAL is an umbrella term for domestic, regional, and local law; for religious and indigenous prescripts; for state-made and privately generated standards; and for international soft law and the scarce international treaty law on the treatment of animals and animal species. GAL is not a ready-made, full-fledged, existing legal framework. Rather, it is both a fragmented and evolving body of law as well as a nascent and burgeoning body of scholarship – and it is (co-)constituted by a multitude of actors who think and do GAL. This introductory chapter renders our account of what GAL is and why we need it, what methodological considerations are involved in doing GAL, and how this Handbook may serve as a greenhouse for cultivating GAL.

Peters, A., Stilt, K., & Stucki, S. (2025). Global animal law in the making: An introduction. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5309196

Objective

To evaluate the association among plant-based eating patterns and motivations, difficulties and sociodemographic data in university students.

Methods

Quantitative research with a cross-sectional design with 815 university students. Collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire. For data analysis, the Chi-square test, T-test and Anova were used based on the Kolmogorov Smirnov normality test, at a significance level of p0.05, in addition to descriptive statistics with the aid of the free software PSPP.

Results

Nine point six percent of academics follow plant-based diets, and their adherence is associated (p0.05) with a left-wing political spectrum, pro-environmental behaviors, concern for animal rights, boycotts of the meat industry and non- like the taste of meat. Omnivores had more difficulty adhering to and maintaining these diets (p0.00) as well as in food preparation, self-control over meat consumption and eating outside the home.

Conclusion

Enabling behavioral changes in the population in order to promote healthy and sustainable eating should be a priority for public policies and the private sector, considering the impact of the food system on climate change.

Triches, R. M., Eickhoff, V. P., & Candido, H. G. L. G. (2025). Associated factors in adherence to plant-based diets in university students. Revista de Nutrição, 38. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9865202538e240104

Past research suggests veg∗anism mostly elicits negative social consequences, including interpersonal conflict and reduced quality of social relationships. Given interpersonal conflict and poor-quality social relationships are associated with poorer mental health, the social consequences elicited by veg∗anism could conceivably influence mental health, though few studies have investigated this. We conducted a scoping review to examine if veg∗an related social consequences influence individuals’ mental health. Three databases were searched (PsycINFO, ProQuest and Web of Science), identifying 4813 papers that were assessed for relevance, with 55 papers included in the review. Our findings indicated veg∗anism frequently elicits negative and positive social consequences, that varied considerably between studies. Potentially indicating differences in approval of veg∗anism between different social environments. Mixed results were found when comparing the mental health of veg∗ans with omnivores. Some studies suggested veg∗ans report poorer mental health while others reported no differences. Research methodologies used may have influenced these findings. Only two studies directly investigating if social consequences influence mental health were identified. Our findings suggest relationships between veg∗anism, social consequences, and mental health exists. However, this relationship is likely complex and more methodologically robust research replicating findings is needed.

Cornish, S., Jones, L., & Sheeran, N. (2025). Friends not food: A scoping review into veg∗an mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Appetite, 214, 108207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108207

Background

Following a plant-based diet is associated with reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, the determinants of plant-based diet adoption in the United States remain poorly understood.

Objective

Our study aimed to identify motivators and barriers to following a plant-based diet in Baltimore-area vegan and vegetarian communities.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in person or via videoconference during July and August 2023. Men and women, white and non-white adult participants (n = 12), who were either currently consuming a plant-based diet or interested in starting to consume a plant-based diet, were recruited from Baltimore-area communities. Thematic analysis was performed using verbatim transcripts and coded with NVivo R1 (2020) (version 1.7.1).

Results

Six key themes related to motivators and barriers to consuming a plant-based diet were: 1. personal factors and cultural beliefs; 2. social influences; 3. consumption of plant-based diets at home and away from home; 4. challenges in awareness and access; 5. perceptions of meat and dairy alternatives; and 6. external facilitators. Beliefs driving dietary adoption were related to animal welfare, environmental concerns, health, and culture. Influences from loved ones played an important role in shaping dietary choices. Barriers included a lack of inclusiveness, insufficient education on nutritional quality and food preparation skills, and limited availability of plant-based products. Meat and dairy alternatives were common components of plant-based diets and helped with diet transition, though nutritional quality was a concern. Facilitators included improved access to affordable, healthy foods, recipes, and support from others.

Conclusions

Findings can inform strategies for promoting plant-based diets by supporting individuals to overcome social challenges, providing nutrition-related information and education, and improving access to affordable, high-quality plant-based products and meat alternatives.

Yang, J., Bernard, L., Ting, A., Sullivan, V. K., & Rebholz, C. M. (2025). Perceived motivators and barriers to consuming a plant-based diet: A qualitative research study. BMC Nutrition, 11(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01100-7

The legal recognition of veganism highlights the evolving landscape of dietary choices and their status under human rights law. This paper examines the legal status of vegan diets under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), focusing on public institutions such as prisons and hospitals. By analyzing the first relevant cases before the European Court of Human Rights, it explores the protection of vegan diets under Articles 9 (freedom of thought, conscience, and religion) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the ECHR. The paper also considers whether access to a vegan diet relates to identity, autonomy, and health through Article 8 (respect for private life) and discusses the connection between veganism, environmental sustainability, and the emerging right to a healthy environment. It offers a critical analysis of States’ legal obligations regarding the provision of vegan diets in public settings.

Bryk Silveira, A., & Levy, M. (2025a). Planting rights and feeding freedom: Navigating the right to a vegan diet in hospitals and prisons. European Journal of Health Law, 32(3), 335–355. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718093-bja10150