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Vegan Trademark marks 'fantastic milestone'
Set up by the Vegan Society, the Vegan Trademark is internationally recognised and now adorns products in 68 countries.
These products include food and drink, cosmetics, toiletries, fashion, homeware, raw materials and more.
Created as a simple tool to help consumers easily identify products that align with their values, it has played a role in the increased accessibility of vegan products around the world.
Notable partners within the food and drink industry include Alpro, ASDA, Burger King, Quorn and Wagamama.
'Fantastic milestone'
Commenting on the trademark’s achievement, Matthew Thornton, head of commercial services at The Vegan Society, said: "Reaching 70,000 registered products with the Vegan Trademark is a fantastic milestone that reflects the growing demand for vegan products globally. Over the past 34 years, we've worked closely with brands of all sizes to make veganism more accessible and empower consumers to make informed choices.
“We're incredibly proud of how far we've come and excited to see the innovation and growth that lies ahead as more companies recognise the importance of vegan certification. As we plan for the future we are looking at new ways to support businesses and services looking to cater for the growing demand in veganism, so watch this space for some exciting announcements.”
The Vegan Society is the world’s oldest vegan society whose co-founder Donald Watson defined the term ‘vegan’ in 1944.
Growing vegan population
According to research by Finder published at the start of this year, there are around 2.5m people in the UK that identify as vegan, while 8.6m people follow a meat-free diet.
Commenting at the time, Vegan Society spokesperson Maisie Stedman told Food Manufacture that veganism is no longer seen as an unusual lifestyle choice.
Stedman continued: “The reasons behind the rise of veganism are numerous. The increasingly positive portrayal in the media and the popularity of campaigns such as Veganuary and World Vegan Month have contributed to its changing image, documentaries on the shocking realities of animal agriculture have gained prominence [and] peaceful activists are educating the public about veganism on the streets and in schools.
“[Meanwhile] more supermarkets and restaurants have launched vegan food options, delicious vegan recipes have multiplied online and on social media as society becomes increasingly health-conscious and top vegan athletes keep proving that you can be fit and healthy on a plant based diet.”
