Supermarkets and restaurants across the UK are adapting their products to cater to the latest societal shift, veganism.
Increased demand for vegan products (non-animal derived) has led to many high street chains expanding their menus.
Not just healthy, modern cafes but now fast-food chains have vegan options as well.
Daisy Moore, a vegan blogger said: “The availability of vegan products is dramatically improving and I often find myself spoilt for choice.”
Today there are an estimated 1.1 million vegans in the UK, according to the Vegan Society.
This is compared to six years ago when there were only 150,000.
Vegan alternatives
Nando’s was the most recent restaurant to make the change.
Its menu now includes “The Great Intimidator” with vegan chicken made from pea protein, served alongside their new vegan sauce.
However, Nando’s has raised some concerns amongst vegans, by revealing their vegan chicken would be cooked on the same grill as the meat.
Fran Thompson has been a vegan for three years and said: “It’s disappointing, but it’s also a huge step when a restaurant known for its meat adds a vegan alternative.”
The choice for vegan takeaway is also increasing rapidly. Deliveroo said 78 per cent more vegan dishes were ordered compared to this time last year.
Dominos has added two new vegan pizzas to its menus nationally, joining its competitors Papa Johns and Pizza Hut who have vast vegan options.
Pret a Manger said in June that they sell twice as many vegan versions of their croissants than their non-vegan options.
More options available
Supermarkets across the UK are also following the trend.
“2020 became the year that every one of the UK’s top supermarkets introduced their own vegan range,” the Vegan Society said.
Aldi recently won the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals charity award for “Best Grocer 2020″. Its range includes everything from vegan sausage rolls to dairy-free mac & cheese and ice cream – all at affordable prices.
The growth of these ranges is obvious to vegan blogger Kate Lewis who said: “Even in the past six months the availability has rocketed.
“The options have gone from just one cheese to various options.”
According to the Vegan Society, the introduction of new products is driving the movement forward, with the number of vegans in the UK expected to double by the end of 2020.
