Whole Foods CEO: Fake Meats Not ‘Healthy’

John Mackey won't endorse alternative meats.
John Mackey won't endorse alternative meats.
(Whole Foods)

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, who has been vegan for more than 20 years, says he can’t endorse any plant-based meat substitutes currently on the market due to their ingredient lists.

Mackey told CNBC the brands that are “taking the world by storm, if you look at the ingredients, they are super, highly processed foods.”

Whole Foods gave plant-based start-up Beyond Meat a boost in 2013 when the grocer began offering its vegan “chicken” strips. Early investors in the product were billionaires Bill Gates and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.

“We launched Beyond Meat. We were their launching pad. In fact, I think all of their new products have been introduced at Whole Foods,” Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods told CNBC’s Make It. In 2016, Beyond Meat launched its Beyond Burger.

“I don’t think eating highly processed foods is healthy,” Mackey said. “I think people thrive on eating whole foods. As for health, I will not endorse that, and that is about as big of criticism that I will do in public.”

Mackey believes plant-based meat alternatives are a more ethical choice and better for the environment, the CNBC article said. He also notes the meat substitutes are considered by some as a way for meat eaters to “re-educate” their palates.

 

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.