My newsfeed over the last few weeks has been dominated by plant-based “meats.” Of course, the largest story in that sector was the successful initial public offering of Beyond Meat, which led to all manner of articles questioning the future of meat. Some writers were so sure that we’ll all be eating plants within the next five years that they forgot that this was one IPO for one company – hardly enough to bring a sea change to the American diet.
Plant-based meat alternatives — there are so many laws now regarding the use of “meat” that I’m unsure what the preferred nomenclature is — are big. Go to any restaurant and you’ll see some some meat alternative on the menu. Big companies like Tyson and Cargill are partnering with or developing their own alternatives to traditional meat, whether it be plant-based or cell-based. Despite the anti-meat activists who think these products will tip the scales in their favor, I don’t think it’s time to toss aside your smokehouses and knives just yet.