Vegetarian Star

Although McDonald’s in Europe has committed to going cage-free for its eggs by the end of 2012, U.S. McDonald’s show no signs of letting the birds out the wire, citing rising prices for consumers for the more humane and better quality product as the reason.

However, as Wallet Pop points out, with the average cost of a dozen cage-free eggs being only sixty cents more, this would translate to an extra nickel to customers.

According to a poll on WP’s website, over half of people are willing to pay more for cage-free eggs, with 22% willing to pay $0.05, 21% willing to pay $0.25 and 7% willing to pay $1.00.

Of course, we’re not getting into the debate of raising the Canadian bacon pig more ethically (or better yet, doing away with the bacon altogether).

That too should be the next step in making the Egg McMuffin more humane, and keeping up and maybe even getting ahead of our European fast food loving  brothers and sisters.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills

Jamie Oliver has praised a fast food restaurant known for greasy burgers for its quality of food.

Come again?

Yes, McDonald’s is one of the biggest producers of cow patties, but, at least in the UK, they have made efforts to step up their animal welfare standards–as much as possible while still using the animal product.

“McDonald’s in the UK is very different compared to the US model – the quality of beef, they only sell free-range eggs, they only sell organic milk, their ethics and recycling is being improved and improved,” Oliver said.

“And I can’t believe I’m sitting here telling you that McDonald’s UK has come a long way, but actually, it probably puts quite a lot of gastropubs to shame, the amount of work they are doing at the back end.”

Oliver frowned upon factory farmed, processed meat delivered to the Huntington, Virginia high school where he filmed Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

The U.S. is often slow to catch on when it comes to animal welfare.

McDonald’s representative in the UK, for example, agreed long ago that battery cages were cruel and UK McDonalds banned this practice before it was outlawed there.

Similarly, KFC in Canada offers a vegan faux chicken sandwich and is working toward more humane slaughter practices while the U.S. has yet to budge.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills

Kelly Osbourne isn’t currently a vegetarian, but she has considered the source of where her meat comes from and is trying to eat less of it.

In her weekly Closer column, Kelly says watching the film Food Inc. has made her disgusted by the way most meat is obtained.

“I’ve become increasingly aware of how disgusting the American meat industry can be – and it’s seriously put me off eating meat … I’ve heard that cows are fed through a hole in their stomach to make them get fatter quicker and I can’t believe some chicken producers inject them with water first so they’re heavier!”

Kelly’s got a good point. While many suppliers in places like Europe are sourcing meat more humanely, such as slaughtering with Controlled Atmosphere Killing, major American restaurants like McDonald’s have failed to make this switch.

“I don’t have a problem with people eating meat, but I am careful to only buy organic now,” Kelly added.

Kelly attended the launch of Sir Paul McCartney‘s Meat Free Monday campaign, so she is at least supportive of less meat in everyone’s, American or not, diet.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills

Just like Joe Camel moved to live with all the other cancer and emphysema stricken senior citizens in Florida, some are calling for the retirement of Ronald McDonald, a 50 year old icon that has surely pushed many into obesity, heart disease and other health ailments.

Corporate Accountability International has kicked off a campaign to retire the hamburger clown that was designed to appeal to children.

“McDonald’s, and its iconic clown, is not only the face of the epidemic: it is the engine behind it. No corporation has done more to hook kids on unhealthy food,” said Stacey Folsom, spokeswoman for Corporate Accountability International.

Although they’ve contacted McDonald’s about their wishes, they haven’t received an answer yet.

One bonus, according to SF Gate, is that Ronald McDonald’s image doesn’t appear as often on McDonald’s website.

Maybe his title has changed to hamburger emeritus.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Two faux beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

McDonald’s Germany is reintroducing its veggie burger.

The vegetable patty containing potatoes, carrots and peppers is a part of an overhaul on German McDonald’s menus to increase sales.

The veggie burger is expected to attract more women.

If Christian Serratos goes to Europe, maybe she’ll be Tweeting about meatless patties from the golden arches.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Normally you’d never see McDonald’s get any love from a vegetarian website, but this is something worth giving a second glance.

McDonald’s in India, where much of the population is Hindu, normally doesn’t serve beef, but vegetarian and chicken options instead.

One such sandwich that’s popular is the McAloo Tikki, a fried breaded potato and peas patty, that can be cooked in a separate kitchen from the meat items, like all vegetarian fare at the franchises in the country can.

McAloo Tikki just happens to be the highest grossing item at the franchises in India.

Now, if only we can convince them to cut the chicken from the menu as well.

Then, we’d really be lovin’ it!

via bloomberg.com

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Ana Ortiz is asking the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), a Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, to avoid any future partnerships with McDonald’s, on grounds of both inhumane animal and human treatment.

The NCLR’s 2009 press conference was sponsored by the fast food giant, so Ana took the opportunity to write to the council.

“I was shocked to learn that McDonald’s sponsored the National Council of La Raza’s (NCLR) 2009 conference in Chicago. As an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Hispanic Americans, you certainly must be aware that McDonald’s has very close ties to an industry that’s notorious for exploiting Hispanic immigrants—not to mention the fact that the company is responsible for the suffering and abuse of millions of animals every year.”

“The slaughterhouse is a dismal place for workers. The dim lighting and filthy air—which is filled with dust, debris, and feathers from terrified birds’ flapping wings—leads to accidents and injuries. Chickens struggle, peck, and scratch in resistance and frequently vomit and defecate as a result of stress. Poorly paid slaughterhouse workers—many of whom are Hispanic immigrants—usually receive no medical benefits despite their susceptibility to on-the-job injuries. Because companies will often fire these employees rather than pay for medical care, many workers do not seek treatment for their injuries out of fear of losing their jobs.”

Read Ana’s entire letter at peta.org.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Jaimie King Creates Vegan-Friendly Makeup Alchemy From ColourPop
• SeaWorld Phasing Out Whale Breeding Program
• Pamela Anderson Launches Vegan Shoes

Let’s face it, animal rights activists have to have thick skin.

When your motives are questioned, your tactics are ridiculed, and the cops are just waiting to shackle you at the slightest feeling the peaceful protest is turning ugly, it takes a lot of balls to get up routinely and stand up for creatures who cannot.

Not to mention those insane outfits!

From priests to fake bloody meat to animals to even getting downright naked, animal rights activists show no shame in dressing for the occasion to get the point across. Not a problem at all for vegan singer Chrissie Hynde.

“I don’t mind standing next to a guy dressed as a carrot chanting, ‘We’re not leaving ’til the cows come home,” Hynde told the Sunday Mail.

Or, standing next to a KFC chicken.

“If you’re willing to make a bit of a fool of yourself to make your point – that’s what you have to do.”

Whether it’s protesting KFC, McDonald’s or the mulesing industry, Chrissie has proven she never fails to pay her dues to the fools’ club.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
• Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro
• SeaWorld Phasing Out Whale Breeding Program
• Best Vegetarian Stories Of 2015