ProVeg International has welcomed a commitment by IKEA which serves food to 520 million people across the world every year to "remove or replace" dairy products.
The new commitment which appears on page 13 of the Swedish retail giant's Sustainability Report, states: "We continue to explore where and how we can remove or replace dairy in our range (without compromising on taste) to further reduce the climate impact of our food ingredients."
IKEA states additionally that it will continue to expand its plant-based food range because “the climate footprint of plant-based food is often lower compared to animal-based options”, and because “a plant-based diet with high nutritional value can also be a healthier choice”.
Jasmijn de Boo, ProVeg Vice President, comments: “This is a very positive move by IKEA which ProVeg International very much supports.
The dairy industry is responsible for mass river pollution, greenhouse gas emissions – including the much more dangerous gas methane – compacted soil, increased risk in antimicrobial resistance, as well as animal suffering and crops wasted on animal feed ...
“The dairy industry is responsible for mass river pollution, greenhouse gas emissions – including the much more dangerous gas methane – compacted soil, increased risk in antimicrobial resistance, as well as animal suffering and crops wasted on animal feed which causes excessive energy, water and land loss.
"We thank IKEA for its commitment to reducing its contribution to this destructive food production system.”
