Is Beyond Meat Vegan and Cruelty Free? (April, 2024)

Trying to figure out if Beyond Meat is truly vegan can be challenging.

Companies that sell vegan products are not always transparent about their ingredients and manufacturing processes.

To make sure that you’re only eating food that aligns with your vegan diet and ethics, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production process of Beyond Meat.

Here’s what I found.

Is Beyond Meat Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Meat is a vegan-friendly brand that produces meat-like foods that are plant-based, non-GMO, non-gluten, and non-soy.

They use proteins, fats, minerals, flavors and colors, and carbohydrates from plant-based sources like peas, beans, potatoes, and brown rice, all of which are healthy, cruelty-free alternatives to animal meat.

By shifting from animal- to plant-based meat, Beyond Meat addresses four major problems associated with livestock production: Animal cruelty, global warming, deforestation, and environmental pollution.

Is Beyond Meat Cruelty Free?

Yes! Beyond Meat is cruelty free.

Since their meat is from plant-based ingredients, no animals are harmed in the making of their products.

Beyond Meat does not test its products on animals at any stage of production. In 2013, Beyond Meat was recognized as PETA’s “Company of the Year” and in 2019, Beyond Meat was listed by PETA as a vegan meat brand.

You can enjoy their delicious plant-based meats without any worries or guilt!

What Is Beyond Meat Made Of?

Here are some common ingredients of a Beyond Meat product:

Protein

Peas
Mung beans
Faba beans
Brown rice

Fats

Cocoa butter
Refined coconut oil
Expeller-pressed canola oil

Carbohydrates

Potato starch
Methylcellulose (a plant fiber derivative)

Minerals

Calcium
Iron
Salt
Potassium chloride

Flavors

Beet juice
Apple extract

Let’s break down each ingredient:

Peas

Peas are good sources of plant-based protein. One cup of cooked pea protein has about eight grams of protein. Peas are used in a variety of plant-based meat products because they have a similar texture and mouthfeel to animal meat. Peas are vegan friendly.

Mung beans

A mung bean is another type of legume often used in plant-based meat products. Mung beans are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Mung bean protein is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Faba beans

Faba beans or broad beans are a type of legume that is often used in plant-based meat products. They are a good source of protein and fiber. Faba beans are a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Brown rice

Brown rice is a whole grain that is often used in plant-based meat products. It is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins and minerals. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Cocoa butter

Cocoa butter is a type of fat that is derived from cocoa beans. It is often used in plant-based meat products for its fat content and flavor. It is vegan.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is another type of fat that is often used in plant-based meat products. It is a good source of healthy fats. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Expeller-pressed canola oil

Expeller-pressed canola oil is used for its fat content. It is a good source of healthy fats. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Potato starch

Potato starch is used as a binding agent in plant-based meat products. It helps to bind the ingredients together and gives the product its texture. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Methylcellulose

Methylcellulose can be used as a thickener, emulsifier, or binding agent. It is often used in plant-based meat products for its texture and ability to bind ingredients together. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that is often added to plant-based meat products. It helps to improve the texture and flavor of the product. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Iron

Iron has a variety of functions in plant-based meat products. It helps to improve the texture, flavor, and color of the product. It is vegan friendly.

Salt

Salt is a mineral that is often added to plant-based meat products. It helps to improve the flavor of the meat. It is vegan friendly.

Potassium chloride

Potassium chloride can help to improve the texture, flavor, and color of plant-based meat products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Beet juice

Beet juice extract is used to improve the color of plant-based meat products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Apple extract

Apple extract is used to improve the flavor of plant-based meat products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Why Is Beyond Meat Vegan?

Beyond Meat is vegan because it is a brand that is specifically dedicated to making plant-based meat products. Beyond Meat was founded by Ethan Brown in 2009. The company’s mission is to create delicious plant-based meats that are indistinguishable from animal meat.

Beyond Meat’s products are made from a variety of plant proteins and other plant-based ingredients that are chosen carefully to cater to vegans and vegetarians. The company’s products are free from animals, soy, gluten, GMOs, and artificial flavors.

Beyond Meat’s products are a healthy option for those looking for a vegan-friendly, healthy, and sustainable meat alternative.

Is Beyond Burger Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Burger is vegan. This plant-based beef patty does not contain animal products or by-products. Their burger patties are plant based, non-GMO, gluten free, and soy-free.

The Beyond Burger is a vegan-friendly product.

Are Beyond Beef Crumbles Vegan?

Yes! Beyond Beef Crumbles are vegan. This product does not contain animal products or by-products. Their beef crumbles are a plant-based meat that is non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free.