FRINGE MOVEMENT GROWS TO CHANGE MENUS ON HIGH STREETS

THERE are thought to be more than 600,000 vegans in Britain – up from 150,000 in 2006.

Veganism, once classed as a fringe movement, involves shunning animal products such as meat, fish, dairy produce and eggs.

Interest in plant-based diets spikes at this time of year after the gluttony of Christmas.

The excess of the festive season sparked the Veganuary scheme in 2014.

The initiative encourages people to go vegan for January as a way to promote the lifestyle and educate people.

When it launched just 3,300 people signed up. By 2016 that number had risen to 23,000 and last year saw 168,000 try out a vegan diet.

Almost nine in 10 who take part in Veganuary are women and 60 per cent are under the age of 35.

Veganism has inspired high street giants

Marks & Spencer, Greggs, Nandos, McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Pret a Manger, Wagamama, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express and Zizzi to offer vegan options on their menus.

An estimated 360,000 people also describe themselves as lifestyle or ethical vegans and commit to using or buying only cosmetics and clothes that are free from animal products. Some claim that a reliance on meat and livestock farming is placing an unsustainable burden on the Earth and its resources.

Celebrities including Ellie Goulding, Natalie Portman, Ariana Grande, Woody Harrelson, Miley Cyrus and Ellen DeGeneres all promote a meat-free diet.

The British market for meatfree foods was worth £740million in 2018, according to analysts Mintel.

This figure is up from £539million just three years ago.