Bid on Exquisite Vacations, a Vegan Shopping Spree, and More in Our Gala Auction!

From unforgettable vacations in exotic locations to a feature in a famous comic strip, the Mercy For Animals 25th anniversary auction has it all! Read more

Everyone loves swag! We could not be more excited about the guest gift bags for The Mercy For Animals 25th Anniversary Gala on April 20 at Rolling Greens in Downtown Los Angeles! Every gala attendee will go home with the newest faux leather PopSockets MagSafe PopWallet, VGAN and Dr. Bronner’s chocolate bars, Katjes plant-based gummies, a selection of nonalcoholic spirits from Ritual Zero Proof, and so much more. When you spend your consumer dollars, please consider shopping brands that love animals as much as you do! 

We thank these wonderful businesses for being part of our celebration by donating products for the gift bags this year. Here’s a sneak peek inside the special guest gift bags: 

1. PopSockets 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ndf_WL2J4/?igsh=OXozMWpmMzNna2Vv

PopSockets is a global company offering digital lifestyle products to enhance a person’s phone experience. Its iconic phone grips have been sold in 75 countries.

2. VegNews Magazine

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5FLTQppBSO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

VegNews is the world’s largest vegan media brand. Its flagship magazine features the latest plant-based lifestyle content, including food, fashion, travel, beauty, and celebrity interviews.

3. Beyond Meat

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsZKatHRJ2x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Beyond Meat believes that plant-based meat can improve our future. The company’s vegan products help protect the planet, prevent animal suffering, and promote good health. And every choice we make can impact our world.

4. Bramble

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4IjoI-rTjl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Bramble offers fresh plant-based food for your companion animal that is complete and balanced, healthier, and better for the planet! 

5. Chella

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3-rbqOxkHP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Founded in 2003, Chella has dedicated years to crafting the best vegan and clean brow and eye makeup essentials. 

6. VGAN Chocolate

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvOwlEkqYiy/?igsh=bG1memt2aXZwYzRo

VGAN makes premium chocolate treats—all organic, GMO-free, and vegan. 

7. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6cfjRMP-d/?igsh=MXR6bW5uYmUzcGxtZQ==

The famous “All-One” family business creates vegan and cruelty-free products for your home, body, and hair, using only the highest quality organic, fair trade, and environmentally responsible ingredients. And Dr. Bronner’s makes a range of delicious chocolate bars!

8. Just Iced Tea

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GrsK4LeWe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Just Iced Tea offers a fresh, eco-friendly approach to food from an activist, an entrepreneur, and a celebrity chef.

9. Katjes

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2UzbNAucG1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Since 1950, Katjes has been a leading family-owned plant-based gummy brand that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and people’s well-being.

10. Konscious Foods

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5TpORqLh0R/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

From veggies and fruits to whole grains and legumes, Konscious Foods is on a mission to bring sustainable plant-based foods to everyone. 

11. Ritual Zero Proof

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0o80XBuAE8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Ritual Zero Proof is America’s leading maker of nonalcoholic spirits. Its all-natural, low-calorie products can be used instead of traditional spirits to make your favorite cocktails.

12. Unisoy

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5GWaS7LNlx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Unisoy crafts a range of delicious plant-based jerky high in protein and packed with flavor.

13. Good PLANeT

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4itfPbrlj8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

GOOD PLANeT Foods is revolutionizing the cheese industry by offering consumers sustainable plant-based cheese made with the superfood olive oil.

Join Us! 

Your support of our anniversary gala will help secure the future success of Mercy For Animals’ critical work, empowering us to help more farmed animals across the United States and around the world. We can’t wait to spend the extraordinary evening with you as we recognize our brave investigators, enjoy a star-studded awards show with celebrity entertainment, and connect with an inspiring community of dedicated supporters. Get tickets today!

In honor of Dr. Jane Goodall’s 90th birthday, Mercy For Animals and the Jane Goodall Institute have released a special short film, Voices of Hope ~ Words of Wisdom by Dr. Jane Goodall, produced to commemorate Dr. Goodall’s lifelong advocacy for animals, people, and the environment. Narrated by more than 20 public figures from around the world, the film aims to inspire people to emulate Dr. Goodall’s powerful work as an activist, a conservationist, and a changemaker. 

Opening with a statement from Dr. Goodall herself, the film features a collection of profound quotes from Dr. Goodall recited by Ellen Burstyn, James Cromwell, Sen. Cory Booker, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Tabitha Brown, Alicia Silverstone, Paul Wesley, Joseph Morgan, Persia White, Nikki Reed, Jon Kortajarena, Evanna Lynch, Mýa, Elizabeth Lail, Sarah Jeffery, Gus Kenworthy, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alexandra Paul, Matt Lauria, Kris Carr, Dr. BJ Miller, and Pramoda Chitrabhanu. 

These esteemed and passionate public figures hope that everyone who watches the film will be compelled to make a positive impact in the world this year and beyond. In honor of Dr. Goodall, “together we can, together we will.”

Nik Tyler, Mercy For Animals’ senior celebrity and media relations manager and the director of the film, said:

Dr. Goodall’s advocacy for animals and the environment has inspired everyone at Mercy For Animals. Honoring her at our Hope Gala in 2021 was a pivotal moment for the organization, and creating this short film to celebrate her 90th birthday has been a beautiful full-circle experience. Mercy For Animals, the Jane Goodall Institute, and our inspiring ensemble of narrators hope that Dr. Goodall’s message of reverence for all living beings and the planet will unite, uplift, and empower viewers to make positive choices and changes in the world.

90 Years of Jane

Dr. Goodall has dedicated her life to understanding other animals and encouraging empathy with and compassion for those who share our planet. In 1977, Dr. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support and inspire others to protect and cherish the natural world. Anna Rathmann, executive director at the Jane Goodall Institute USA, said:

Dr. Goodall has long been an advocate for the dignity and well-being of all living things. We’re thrilled to partner with Mercy For Animals and the impressive roster of narrators who participated in this project. Through our collective voices, we can speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and further advance Jane’s vision of a better planet for us all.

Make sure you stay up to date on Dr. Goodall’s inspiring work by following the Jane Goodall Institute on Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter.

Breaking investigation footage of multiple Pilgrim’s contract farms shows six-week-old chickens being viciously kicked and thrown. The footage was captured in Kentucky—the same state where new ag-gag legislation was just passed. 

Pilgrim’s is the second-largest poultry company in the United States, raising and killing around three billion chickens a year and supplying large restaurant chains, including KFC and Popeyes. Our undercover investigator documented the harrowing process of chicken catching, as Pilgrim’s hired workers chase birds and force them into transport cages.

Handling

Workers violently slamming chickens into crates for in undercover investigation of Pilgrim's Pride chicken suppliers in Kentucky.

Pilgrim’s pays these workers according to the number of chickens caught—not hours worked. This likely incentivizes workers to catch chickens very quickly, resulting in improper handling and cruelty. 

Footage shows birds kicked and thrown against the barns’ metal walls. Many are picked up by their legs, necks, or wings and roughly thrown several feet through the air into transport cages. 

Pilgrim’s workers are also seen mishandling chickens for no work-related purpose, such as carrying them outside the barn and placing them into the driver’s seat of a forklift. In one clip, a worker holds two chickens by their necks, one in each hand, and slams them against the barn wall. The worker then moves their heads as though the chickens are pecking each other. 

Loading

Chickens, many injured, stuffed inside crates and unable to move at a Pilgrim's Pride chicken supplier.

Footage shows workers routinely carrying seven chickens at a time and swinging them with enough momentum to toss all seven into transport cages at once. In many instances, the cage doors are slammed shut, trapping the heads, wings, and legs of chickens in the narrow gaps between the doors and cage frames. Injured chickens are forced to sit in these crates, suffering from untreated broken bones, smashed against other birds in similar conditions. 

Our investigator documented transport cages with 15 compartments. Workers were supposed to put 21 chickens into each compartment, yet workers would intentionally stuff in more birds. This often happened while loading the last cage of a barn so workers wouldn’t need an additional cage to finish catching the last chickens. 

Frankenchickens

Dead or dying chicken unable to stand or walk at Pilgrim's Pride chicken supplier during undercover investigation

What makes this footage especially egregious is that Pilgrim’s regularly uses Frankenchickens—chickens raised for meat selectively bred to grow monstrously large unnaturally fast. Forced into lives of misery, these birds grow so quickly that their bodies often can’t support their weight. Many suffer organ failure and heart attacks, and some die before they even make it to the slaughterhouse. They are also extremely fragile, so being kicked and thrown can have disastrous impacts. Many are likely injured and in pain before they are thrust into transport cages. 

Take Action – Ag-Gag

This is just the latest in a line of investigations that have uncovered horrific mistreatment of Pilgrim’s chickens. Despite this, Kentucky’s ag-gag legislation seeks to keep the public in the dark about where their food comes from and threatens First Amendment rights.

Ag-gag laws, no matter their form, help ensure that a company like Pilgrim’s can overlook cruelty with impunity, which is unacceptable. Kentucky’s SB 16 is a dangerous bill blatantly designed as a threat to animals, workers, consumers, and First Amendment rights. If passed, the bill would criminalize capturing and sharing with the public what happens in factory farms and food-processing facilities. Without strong government oversight at factory farms, whistleblowing is an important safeguard against cruel and unsanitary practices. 

Visit NoAgGag.com to keep informed about how to speak out against ag-gag bills around the United States and Canada. 

The egg industry condemns hens to lives of misery and then sends them to be slaughtered at just a fraction of their normal life spans. But the good news is that we can all end our support of this cruel industry by choosing vegan eggs.

Whenever you choose a plant-based option over a chicken’s egg, you make a difference! Here are some of our favorite vegan eggs you can enjoy at home: 

Yo-Egg

Vegan eggs from Yo-Egg
Photo: Yo-Egg

Yo-Egg is a revolutionary company that makes delicious low-calorie vegan eggs with decadent flavor. The Poached One and the Sunny One feature runny yolks for an authentic experience. The Patty One (coming soon) is great for convenient breakfast sandwiches, and The Boiled One (coming soon) is perfect for snacking and egg salad. Yo-Egg products are a little hard to find in stores, but you can see where to get them here

Wunder Eggs

Wunder Eggs vegan eggs
Photo: Crafty Counter WunderEggs

Wunder Eggs are the world’s first 100% vegan hard-boiled eggs. Add them to avocado toast, ramen, or salads. But most likely, you’ll want to eat these right out of the package. Wunder Eggs come in three varieties: black salt, E*thing, and deviled. Egg white patties are coming soon! Buy Wunder Eggs online or from specialty grocery stores. 

JUST Egg

JUST egg vegan eggs
Photo: JUST Egg

JUST offers two delicious vegan egg products: JUST Egg and JUST Egg Folded. Just Egg is a liquid egg that makes perfect scrambled eggs and omelets. JUST Egg Folded can be heated up using a toaster or microwave and is a great option for a quick sandwich. JUST Egg is often available at stores like Target and Walmart.

Simply Eggless 

vegan eggs from Simply Eggless
Photo: Simply Eggless

Simply Eggless is a vegan company you’ll feel good about supporting. They offer liquid plant-based egg; egg patties; cheddar cheese omelets; an egg, cheese, and sausage breakfast sandwich; and egg, cheese, and sausage bites. Get Simply Eggless in specialty stores or online. 

Hodo Vegan All-Day Egg Scramble 

Hodo vegan eggs scramble
Image: Hodo, Inc.

This fluffy vegan egg dish is seasoned and ready to eat right out of the box—all you need to do is heat it. You can enjoy it as is, as a scramble with your favorite veggies, in burritos, on toast, or just by itself. Find out where to get it here

BeLeaf Sunny Side Up Egg

Beleaf vegan eggs
Photo: Beleaf

BeLeaf Sunny Side Up Egg mimics the taste and texture of fried eggs without harming animals. They go great on sandwiches, bagels, and burgers—and anywhere else you’d add a fried egg. You can find them at some specialty grocery stores or online. 

Tofu

Tofu scramble is a protein-packed alternative to scrambled eggs. There are lots of tofu scramble recipes online to experiment with, and you can add veggies and vegan cheese to customize your scramble. Tofu is also great for making a vegan egg patty or a plant-based quiche. Best of all, it’s affordable and can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Chickpea Flour

Omelets, frittatas, and more are possible with chickpea flour. This versatile legume can do it all. And while you might have a harder time finding chickpea flour (also known as besan at Indian and Asian grocers), the search is worthwhile.

Egg Replacers for Baking

vegan eggs swaps

Veganize your favorite cake and cookie recipes (and even many boxed cake mixes) with some easy egg-free baking hacks. Apple sauce, bananas, flax seeds, and even soda can work as egg replacers. Check out this guide to baking without eggs to learn how. 

Faux Eggs for Easter

wooden eggs for decorating
Photo: SallyFashion

Celebrate Easter Sunday and express your artistic side without using chickens’ eggs. Here are a few ideas: 

  • Paint faux eggs. Many craft stores sell unfinished wooden eggs that are great for painting. You can also find ceramic and plastic realistic-looking eggs to dye, paint, color, or bedazzle. Unlike chickens’ eggs, your masterpiece will last for years to come. 
  • Decorate cookies. Satisfy your sweet tooth and your artistic side by decorating egg-shaped sugar cookies. Follow a vegan sugar cookie recipe and cut your dough into egg shapes. After baking and cooling, decorate the cookies with vegan frosting and sprinkles. 
  • Have a vegan egg hunt. Fill some eco-friendly plastic eggs with vegan candy and hide them around the house or outside for kiddos to look for. 

Choosing plant-based foods is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a difference for animals! Want to do more? Urge Burnbrae Farms, Canada’s biggest egg producer, to stop investing in cruel cages for hens! 

U.S. officials announced on Monday that milk obtained from cows used for dairy in Texas and Kansas had tested positive for bird flu. The type A H5N1 strain of the virus, which has caused outbreaks in birds for decades and occasionally infected humans, has been confirmed by the Texas Animal Health Commission. 

Officials in Minnesota reported last week that bird flu had been diagnosed in a baby goat at a farm after an outbreak of the virus among poultry. This marks the first incidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. farmed animals other than birds.

About three weeks ago, cattle in Texas started getting sick with a condition officials called a “mystery dairy cow disease,” according to Texas Department of Agriculture commissioner Sid Miller. As a result, milk production dropped significantly, and the cows became sluggish and lost their appetite.

The state’s animal health commission initiated an investigation, which involved testing for bird flu. Samples of milk from sick cows were collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas. Bird flu was discovered in the samples. The USDA has called it “a rapidly evolving situation.” 

“Two states so far have confirmed the presence of bird flu in dairy milk, and a third is investigating. We must not wait for a public health catastrophe. Mercy For Animals calls on Congress to pass the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act, legislation that would require corporations to take responsibility for the pandemic risks they cause. Reforming the U.S. food system is critical to reducing suffering for farmed animals and protecting human health.”

—Frances Chrzan, Senior Federal Policy Manager, Mercy For Animals

Your voice matters. Do your part for animals by contacting your members of Congress and urging them to support the IAA and help countless farmed animals.

Throughout history, women have played a pivotal role in the fight for animal rights. From starting powerful animal protection organizations and exposing atrocities in factory farms to developing mouthwatering plant-based foods, women have revolutionized the field of animal advocacy. We hope the stories of these remarkable women, past and present, will inspire you to create meaningful impact for animals.

1. Caroline Earle White

Caroline Earle White, an outstanding American philanthropist and anti-vivisection activist, co-founded the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1867. She established the women’s branch of the society in 1869 and founded the American Anti-Vivisection Society in 1883. Her remarkable achievements in animal welfare continue to inspire and influence people around the world.

2. Lizzy Lind af Hageby

Emilie Augusta Louise “Lizzy” Lind af Hageby was an influential anti-vivisection activist in early 20th-century England. She gained widespread recognition for her powerful speeches on women’s rights, animal protection, and the connection between animal rights and feminism. Her tireless efforts in advocating for these causes have left a lasting impact on society.

3. Sally Shrigley

Elsie “Sally” Shrigley and five other visionaries founded The Vegan Society in 1944, marking the birth of the word “vegan.” Formed from the beginning and end of the word “vegetarian,” the new term represented a development of vegetarianism and a new, more conscientious way of living.

4. Dr. Jane Goodall

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cxv9hdsNaI_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Dr. Jane Goodall has dedicated 60 years to studying chimpanzees’ social interactions in their natural habitat. At age 26, she set off from England to Tanzania to embark on this groundbreaking research, which has since transformed our understanding of chimpanzee behavior and revolutionized the field of primatology. In 1977, Dr. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support and inspire others to protect and cherish the natural world. 

5. Jo-Anne McArthur

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOjjH6plgz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Jo-Anne McArthur is an accomplished and celebrated photographer, author, and photo editor, as well as a highly sought-after speaker. She founded We Animals Media, which showcases her extensive work and exceptional ability to capture the intricate, multifaceted relationships between people and animals around the world.

6. Angela Davis

Angela Davis is a highly respected American activist, professor, and author who has dedicated her life to championing racial justice and human rights. Her wide-ranging work includes authoring books on feminism and the U.S. prison system, co-founding Critical Resistance to fight the prison-industrial complex, and serving as the director of feminist studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a true inspiration to many who look up to her unwavering commitment to social justice.

7. Joanne Lee Molinaro

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy3eoZ5LFrm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Joanne Molinaro, aka The Korean Vegan, is an accomplished bestselling author with a massive following across social media platforms. She has made numerous television appearances, including on The Food Network, CBS Saturday Morning, and The Today Show, showcasing her culinary expertise and talent.

8. Gwenna Hunter

Gwenna Hunter is the founder of the first all-vegan food bank in Los Angeles. Vegans of LA Food Bank empowers the community and provides resources folks need to thrive. She champions the rights of humans and nonhuman animals alike in all her advocacy work. Winner of the Community Care Award in the Mercy For Animals 25th Anniversary Digital Awards, she is a bright light and bold leader in food justice and animal protection.

9. Brenda Sanders

Brenda Sanders is the executive director of Afro-Vegan Society and co-founder of Vegan SoulFest. Her brilliant campaigns, such as Veguary and Dump Dairy Week, educate and inspire people in marginalized communities to transition to plant-based eating and vegan living. Her advocacy has transformed the lives of countless individuals, making her an influential figure in the movement toward a healthier, more compassionate world.

10. Seble Nebiyeloul

Seble Nebiyeloul is the visionary founder of International Fund for Africa (IFA), a groundbreaking initiative in Ethiopia that delivers vegan food and essential healthcare services to schoolchildren. IFA’s holistic program encompasses two nutritious vegan meals daily, improved school sanitation facilities, reusable menstrual pads, and mobile clinics for sterilizing and vaccinating street dogs. The initiative addresses several challenges simultaneously, promoting health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

11. Tabitha Brown

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3seZDPu0R6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tabitha Brown has taken the world by storm with her unique approach and wholesome comedic style. Affectionately known as “America’s Mom,” she has amassed over 13 million followers who rely on her for recipe ideas, wise words, and laughter. Her charming personality, popularity, and influence have made her unforgettable in the vegan world.

12. Evanna Lynch

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4GB1clsgmh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Evanna Lynch, the renowned Irish actress and activist who rose to fame with her memorable role in the Harry Potter film series, has become a fierce advocate for animal rights and veganism in recent years. With conviction and passion, she launched a podcast, The ChickPeeps, in 2017 to delve into the subject of vegan living.

13. Mýa

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzeR-RRgeki/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Mýa is an exceptionally talented and multifaceted Grammy Award–winning artist. She has mastered singing, songwriting, and acting and is a dedicated vegan activist. As a “triple threat entertainer,” Mýa has left an indelible mark on pop culture, and her work has become a staple in the industry.

14. Miyoko Schinner

https://www.instagram.com/p/CskynU9o2zq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Miyoko Schinner has excelled in various fields through her many talents. A highly acclaimed cookbook author, chef, and cheesemaker, as well as a passionate animal activist, she has established herself as an influential force to be reckoned with.

15. Babette Davis

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwlFpFpPfAq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Babette Davis is a masterful vegan chef, passionate fitness enthusiast, and leading health coach. Her unparalleled knowledge in health and fitness have made her a sought-after professional in the industry. She is also a savvy speaker on health-related topics, able to inspire and motivate audiences with her unmatched charisma and expertise.

16. Rubaiya Ahmad

Rubaiya Ahmad is a trailblazer and visionary, having founded Bangladesh’s first animal welfare organization. As a highly skilled plant-based chef, she is a leading voice in veganism and animal advocacy. Her unwavering commitment to promoting ethical practices and compassionate living inspires us all.

17. Jane Velez-Mitchell

Jane Velez-Mitchell is a seasoned journalist, a bestselling author, and an influential activist who has dedicated her life to promoting veganism, animal rights, addiction recovery, and social justice. She has a powerful presence on social media and is widely recognized for her expertise and unwavering commitment to these important causes.

18. Katrina Fox

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3hcI-ORQHF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Katrina Fox has been a proud ethical vegan since 1996. She is an accomplished journalist, and her 2014 article “Speciesism: The Final Frontier,” published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, earned her a prestigious media award from Voiceless: The Animal Protection Institute.

19. Prakriti Varshney

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdk7RbtJw4n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Prakriti Varshney, a talented plant-based athlete, blogger, and graphic designer, fearlessly conquered Mount Everest and made history as the first vegan Indian woman to achieve this remarkable feat.

20. Dr. Charu Chandrasekera

Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, the director of laboratory science at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods at the University of Windsor, is a pioneer relentlessly working toward a world without animal testing.

These remarkable women have made significant contributions for animals and have worked tirelessly toward a kinder world for all. Their legacies serve as a reminder of the vital role women have played in shaping the animal advocacy and plant-based movements, and their efforts continue to inspire generations to strive toward equality and compassion.

Update: After making headlines in November 2023 by launching vegan boxed mac and cheese in the United States, The Kraft Heinz Not Company is disrupting the dairy industry once again, this time with the Canadian debut of vegan Kraft mac and cheese, or “KD,” as it’s called in the country. 

Canada is the world’s biggest consumer of mac and cheese, so the launch of vegan KD has the potential to make a big difference for animals and the environment. 

KD is Canada’s most iconic mac and cheese brand, and we are excited to leverage its strength alongside NotCo’s revolutionary technology for our first branded Canadian product launch.

—Lucho Lopez-May, CEO of The Kraft Heinz Not Company

Originally published November 29, 2023: Kraft is launching completely plant-based versions of its classic original and white cheddar mac and cheese nationwide in the United States! 

The Kraft Heinz Not Company

Rolling out from now until early 2024, the new vegan mac and cheese is Kraft’s third venture with dairy-free company NotCo. A Chilean startup, NotCo uses AI technology to create sustainable, ethical plant-based versions of dairy products. Lucho Lopez-May, CEO of The Kraft Heinz Not Company, said in a statement:

By leveraging the strengths of both companies, we’re offering the creamy and comforting experience Kraft Mac & Cheese fans have loved for over 85 years—without the dairy.

In June of this year, The Kraft Heinz Company released three flavors of Kraft vegan cheese slices nationwide. Available in American, provolone, and cheddar, NotCheese slices are classic Kraft singles reimagined, made with water, coconut oil, modified starch, and chickpea protein.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CuDDLWeBxw7/

NotCheese slices debuted for a limited test run in Ohio, where they quickly became a hit. In fact, a reported 91% of shoppers interviewed shared overwhelmingly positive impressions. NotCo’s head of marketing and strategy, Katie Pekarek, elaborated on the test’s success:

The decision to expand nationally was based on our successful Cleveland test market that ran for 16 weeks starting in November 2022. Kraft NotCheese Slices quickly became the #1 branded plant-based slice in dollar sales.

The company also released NotMayo—a delicious vegan version of Kraft mayonnaise—this year just in time for the Fourth of July. According to Pekarek, “plant-based is one of the fastest growing segments in food and beverage, exceeding total food sales growth by three times.” 

Click here to learn more about vegan cheese, and make sure to download your FREE How to Eat Veg guide for recipes, tips, and more.

You may remember the horrific undercover investigation we released in 2022 showing workers repeatedly pummeling cows with sledgehammers. The footage was captured at a municipal slaughterhouse in Brazil.

Using evidence from the investigation, we presented a claim to the region’s public prosecutor’s office that recounted the welfare issues uncovered at the facility. The prosecutor’s office held meetings with slaughterhouse administrators and other stakeholders for over a year and a half and determined that the slaughterhouse needed to be shut down. 

On February 16, we received notice that it had closed! This case is powerful. It shows that investigations can bring slaughter lines to a halt and that cruelty to farmed animals will not go on without consequences.

While this is a major step toward sparing animals the worst suffering, we know that to create lasting impact, we need to change the system. That’s why we are calling for a federal ban in Brazil on the use of sledgehammers as a method of slaughter. 

To keep the pressure on, we released more undercover footage. It reveals other slaughterhouses where cows are still beaten with sledgehammers. The investigation landed front-page coverage in O Globo, the leading daily newspaper in Brazil and the most prominent print publication of the Grupo Globo media conglomerate.

Government officials in Brazil have received more than 750,000 messages from our supporters. Our organizing manager in the country recently met with Congressman Felipe Saliba to urge swift approval of the federal bill to ban slaughtering animals with sledgehammers, PL 49/2019. 

Calling for legislative change can help tackle the root causes of animal suffering. When you support our policy initiatives, you help promote lasting change that benefits farmed animals on a large scale. You can help us continue this critical work by making a gift today.

Learn more about this critical work and the progress we’ve made by exploring the Mercy For Animals Impact Center. This tool details our work for farmed animals and promotes an evidence-based approach to advocacy.

Have you ever heard the term “ag-gag”? Ag-gag laws, no matter their form, are blatantly designed to be a threat to animals, workers, consumers, and First Amendment rights.

What Is Ag-Gag?

The meat industry is waging an all-out war on your right to know where your food comes from. Whistleblower investigations routinely expose horrific animal abuse at factory farms and slaughterhouses. Yet rather than improve conditions, the meat industry is trying to silence whistleblowers by passing ag-gag laws. These dangerous laws often violate our First Amendment rights and threaten animal welfare, food safety, workers’ rights, and the environment.

Many of these laws criminalize documenting and making public the conditions at factory farms and food-processing facilities. Without strong government oversight of factory farms, whistleblowing is an important safeguard against cruel and unsanitary practices. 

Who Do Ag-Gag Laws Impact?

Ag-gag threatens the free speech of not only animal advocates but journalists, concerned workers, and other individuals who seek to inform the public about the conditions of factory farming and the need for policy reform and enforcement of existing standards. The public is left in the dark about many aspects of the food system, and government regulations often go unenforced. 

These laws also ensure that the stories of suffering animals will never be told. Time and again, Mercy For Animals’ undercover investigations at factory farms and slaughterhouses have revealed abuses that shock and horrify most Americans—which is why the factory-farming industry is fighting so hard to keep the suffering of farmed animals hidden behind closed doors.

What Is Being Done?

Ag-gag bills are being introduced and fought across the country. The Kentucky senate just passed a bill backed by the poultry industry that would put new restrictions on capturing footage of factory farms and food-processing sites. In response, Mercy For Animals has been reaching out to our supporters in Kentucky to take action.

The fight against ag-gag legislation has seen major gains. Over 30 years ago, Kansas became the first U.S. state to outlaw taking photographs or recording video footage inside a factory farm “with the intent to damage the enterprise conducted at the animal facility.” In 2020, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas struck down nearly all provisions of this law, finding that it violated the First Amendment. And in 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected the state’s appeal to review. 

Right now, a handful of states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, and North Dakota, have ag-gag laws in effect. In addition to Kansas, Utah and Idaho managed to pass ag-gag legislation that was later struck down. Many other similar bills have been defeated across the country.

What Can I Do?

You have the power to speak up for animals and speak out against harmful ag-gag legislation. Sign up to keep informed and be the first to know if ag-gag is coming to your state.