Due to the lack of versatility in the vegan industry and recent inflation, the consumption of plant based products have started declining. Despite losing popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the premise of meatless meat products is still relevant to many.

The decline of meatless meats

Rose Lastovica, Staff Reporter

Within the last year, some plant based product trends have already started declining. Meatless meats have been slowly losing sales since the start of the pandemic. While the industry may still retain its novelty, it may still be feeling blowbacks from the coronavirus. Products seem to be disappearing as soon as they hit the shelves.

With the pandemic slowdown, a survey reported that 39% wanted to reduce meat consumption, but 40% of that group had no interest in buying plant-based foods. It’s not that people aren’t interested in healthy eating, but the available alternatives just aren’t good enough.

There are many complaints from flexitarian consumers, or those who embrace all cleaner eating styles, who are choosing between plant-based or conventional meat groceries. One factor is the lack of versatility in the industry; companies need to incorporate a wider variety of options than the handful that have been in circulation for decades. Alternative milks have been able to accomplish this because of their ability to perform many functions of their dairy counterparts. Whether you are lactose intolerant, sugar free, have nut allergies, there’s an alternative option for everyone.

Even with over 60 plant based meat brands, they can’t compare to the variety that 45 plant-based milks are selling. This may also be due to the extensive ingredient list of vegan options. While meat is just one ingredient, animal, plant-based options include way more to either try to match the taste, texture, or nutrition content. Some people are put off by this, especially at the steep prices.

With recent inflation, consumers are even less willing to spend more for meat substitutes. Beef alternatives attracted more buyers because the real thing was expensive. Analysts predicted that beef prices would stay the same while plant based products get cheaper once the companies scale up and pay off startup costs. But with other vegan options, they are still more pricey and hoping to unlock additional consumer markets that will eventually make them more affordable.

The current products may have flaws and the industry is still in its early years, but the premise is still relevant. There are people who still want to reduce their carbon footprint, improve their health, or are concerned with animal welfare and will continue to fundamentally change the way we think about the health of humanity and the planet.

COVID-19 variants

There are actually hundreds of types of coronaviruses; all of which are categorized into different groups. In this week’s “viral thoughts” staff reporter Hailie Hughes discusses the various mutants found of the COVID-19 virus.

Even before the world-wide pandemic hit, the coronavirus was already a thing. There are actually hundreds of types of coronaviruses; all of which are categorized into different groups. Most coronaviruses are only found in animals, however there are seven that are known to affect humans. One of these being SARS-CoV-2, which is what causes COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It’s one of the three of the seven coronaviruses that affect humans that cause serious illness. It causes the COVID-19 that we all know and love, and like many other viruses, it changes and grows.

In the UK, a COVID-19 variant called B.1.1.7 has popped up with a large number of mutations, most notably being that it transmits faster and easier. It was first detected september 2020, and is now extremely common and spread in London, and southeast England.

In South Africa, a variant called 1.351 was found; independant from the one in the UK. While it shares some mutations, it’s also a lot more dangerous. It’s more commonly found in young people with no underlying health issues, and is 50% more contagious. There have yet to be any detected cases in the US.

In Brazil, another variant named P.1 emerged. P.1 is not only more infectious, but it may also evade protective antibodies from previous infections; thus making it easier to catch and harder to get rid of. There have yet to be any detected cases in the US.

Something all these new strands of COVID-19 have in common is that they have a spike in protein mutation. This means that the mutations spike proteins bind easier with human cells, thus why it is more infectious.

These mutations make the virus even harder to fight than it already is. The best thing we can do now in hopes of ending this pandemic is to continue to follow CDC guidelines. Just because it’s a new year, doesn’t mean that it’ll all magically all go away. We need to continue fighting and working to end this.