Italian Meat Brand Goes Vegan—Will U.S. Meat Companies Follow?
PETA is urging major U.S. meat companies to follow the bold move of Italy’s Gruppo Tonazzo, one of the country’s oldest meat producers, which has decided to stop selling animal flesh and focus entirely on plant-based products.
In a letter sent to five of the largest U.S. meat companies—Hormel Foods, Cargill, Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, and Oscar Mayer—PETA encourages them to shift their focus to their existing vegan lines or partnerships with vegan brands.
PETA points out that the global market for vegan products is booming, with the U.S. market alone growing from $3.9 billion in 2017 to $8.1 billion in 2023.
Gruppo Tonazzo made its decision with a “deep responsibility to future generations,” citing environmental concerns and animal welfare.
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk emphasizes, “Consumers and companies are recognizing that we can nourish ourselves without slaughtering animals.”
With more consumers turning away from animal products due to ethical and environmental reasons, PETA warns that companies that don’t adapt could be left behind, just like the tobacco farmers of the past.
The organization is calling for a revolutionary shift towards veganism to reshape the food landscape and protect future generations.
Explore our homepage to discover how global meat brands are moving towards vegan products and what it could mean for the U.S. market.