Food News of the Week: King Charles' Chocolate Excursion, LA Vegan Hotspot Expands, and a Plant-Based Sushi Spot Reopens

King Charles III is making headlines for his interest in plant-based eating, as he recently visited a vegan chocolate shop in Scotland during his tour. The monarch has been known to cut down on red meat and banned foie gras from royal menus, sparking speculation about a potential shift to a fully plant-based diet. Additionally, plant-based innovations such as vegan stroopwafels and animal-free casein are making waves in the food industry, with companies like Vafels and Danish scientists paving the way for more sustainable options.

In other vegan food news, McDonald's Austria has removed the McPlant from its menu in favor of a Fresh Veggie Burger, while demand for plant-based food is on the rise in the Philippines. Vegan grocery store Besties has opened a new location at the LA Farmers Market, and vegan omakase restaurant Kusaki has reopened for the third time in LA. Matchaful has launched vegan soft serve, and Steakholder Foods has introduced the first vegan white fish and salmon products in Israel, showcasing the growing popularity and innovation in the plant-based food industry.