Has the UK's 'Vegan Bubble' Burst?

Surveys suggest that currently 1-2% of UK folk describe themselves as 'vegan'. Extraordinarily, in 2019, 25% of launched products bore this label. After this year's disappointing 'Veganuary' sales, however, several manufacturers are 'pulling' some of their products in the UK. They include Heck, Innocent Drinks, Nestle and Oatly. Some folk suggest the 'over-hyped' vegan bubble has burst. Others are less sure (https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/may/20/has-the-vegan-bubble-burst-sales-stagnate-in-uk-as-brands-withdraw-plant-based-products). People have been encouraged to at least try plant/fungi/bacterial alternatives to meat/dairy products. That switch can benefit both human and planetary health, as well as animal welfare. 2019, with its Covid19 pandemic, was not, however, a good time to launch a 'vegan revolution'. Subsequently, the UK is experiencing a 'cost of living crisis'. Many vegan alternatives are actually more expensive than meat or dairy products. Concerns have also been raised about the number of processing stages, involved in the production of some vegan products. As well as being potentially problematic in human health, some of may generate substantial 'greenhouse gases'. Competition in the 'vegan market' is also, of course, currently much more intense. Some products will inevitably fail to get sufficient sales. People have to be encouraged, to replace at least some of their meat and dairy products, with genuinely healthy vegan alternatives. Customers need something much more reliable than a 'vegan' label. Some vegan products are greener than others! Healthy vegan items also mustn't become an option only for the relatively well-off.