Why Do Some Critics Call It Lab-Grown Meat?

Why Do Some Critics Still Call It Lab-Grown Meat?

More than 150 companies are growing meat from fish or animal cells. Yet some critics still deride cultivated proteins as “lab-grown meat.” Why?

humanely raised, image of two pigs on transport truck

What Does ‘Humanely Raised’ Actually Mean for Farm Animals?

A growing number of companies are marketing meat and dairy as ‘humanely raised’. We take a closer look at the reality behind the label.

image of shopping basket in grocery aisle, What Is SNAP

Do SNAP Benefits Actually Work to Address Hunger?

Over 34 million people in the U.S. suffer from hunger. One effort to address food insecurity is through SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

image of various pulses and dried beans, climavore

What a Climavore Eats and Believes, Explained

A new kind of eater — the climavore — eats foods based on their environmental footprint. But the approach has been criticized by food justice and animal advocates.

What are non-essential amino acids? Woman running

The Difference Between Essential and Nonessential Amino Acids, Explained

There are 11 nonessential amino acids that are absolutely critical for your body.

Farm bill explainer. Image shows man in tractor on farm.

The Farm Bill Is Crucial. Here’s Why.

The farm bill is a collection of laws that governs our food system, including subsidies and federal nutrition benefits known as SNAP.

picture of cow sticking her head out through bars for story is dairy bad for you

Is Dairy Bad for You? 

Is there a link between dairy and cancer risk? The evidence isn’t conclusive but we took a closer look at what we do know in this explainer.

how to read food labels

Here’s How to Get Better at Reading Food Labels

Food labels are confusing. Our guide will help you tell the difference between useful information and meaningless junk.

essential amino acids

Am I Getting Enough Essential Amino Acids?

There are nine essential amino acids that your body can get from a variety of foods, including plant-based sources like nuts.

20 Plant-Based Protein Sources

20 Healthy Plant-Based Protein Sources for a Sustainable Diet

Protein is an essential part of any heathy diet but it’s possible to get all that you need from a healthy variety of plant-based sources.

Why do people drink raw milk?

Why Do People Drink Raw Milk?

Devotees of raw milk tout it as a miracle food yet consuming it can cause severe foodborne illness — leading to paralysis or even death.

What Is the FDA

What Does the FDA Do? 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration ensures the country’s food, medical and cosmetic products are safe.

What Is Dairy?

Which Foods Are Dairy?

The global dairy industry produces nearly 550 million metric tons of cow’s milk each year. But which products are dairy and how are they made?

What Is the USDA?

What Does the USDA Do?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has many responsibilities, including oversight of the food system and rural development.

What are gestation crates?

What Are Gestation Crates?

Gestation crates are one of the most controversial aspects of pork production. But what are they, and why does the industry say they’re necessary?

Culling chicks

Is It Legal to Kill Baby Chickens?

The egg industry continues to cull billions of male chicks worldwide each year — despite legal and scientific progress to curb the practice.

Is beef consumption in the U.S. headed in the right direction?

Is Beef Consumption Headed in the Right Direction?

Researchers are clear that we can’t meet our climate goals without tackling beef consumption in the U.S. Let’s take a look at our progress.

How is leather made from mushrooms?

How Do You Make Leather From Mushrooms?

Leather made from mushrooms is a cruelty-free and environmentally friendly alternative to animal hides, including cow and lamb.

What Is a Feedlot?

How Does a Cattle Feedlot Work?

What is a feedlot? These large fenced-off areas of land house thousands of cattle as they gain weight before slaughter. But how do they work?

Is almond milk bad for the environment?

Is Almond Milk Bad for the Environment?

Almond milk has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so. More and more…

How water intensive is animal farming?

How Much Water Does a Cow Need?

California may be out of its drought but millions of thirsty animals farmed in the west are still at risk. Just how much water does a cow drink anyway?

How Do Pesticides Work?

How Do Pesticides Work?

The U.S. uses around 1 billion pounds of conventional pesticides each year to control weeds, insects and other crop-damaging invaders. Pesticides are crucial for protecting crops but can also be mismanaged at great risk to the environment.

grass-fed vs grass-finished

Whether It’s Grass-Fed or Grass-Finished, Beef Is Still a Problem

Consumers want to know the difference between grass-fed vs. grass-finished but research shows all beef is bad for the planet.

What Is Octopus Farming

Explainer: Is Octopus Farming Ethical?

A major seafood company is still moving ahead with its Canary Islands octopus farming operation despite ethical objections from researchers.

climate-smart agriculture

What Is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

With over $3 billion allocated to climate-smart agriculture programs, some experts worry there’s little agreement about what the term actually means.

what is sustainable agriculture

What Is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agriculture prioritizes natural resources and healthy soils but because the label is not well-regulated, any farm can call itself “sustainable.”

what is agroecology?

What Is Agroecology?

Agroecology relies on traditional Indigenous farming knowledge to make farming more sustainable.

what is fur farming

Yes, Fur Farming Is Still Legal

61 percent of U.S. voters support a ban on fur farming — yet the $22 billion industry is still legal in the U.S. and much of the rest of the world.

factory farm pig

How Do Factory Farms Use Antibiotics?

Antibiotic resistance is a growing public health threat responsible for 1.2 million deaths worldwide. A leading driver of this crisis? Antibiotic use on factory farms.

dairy goat production

What Are the Impacts of Dairy Goat Production?

Goat milk has become increasingly popular, yet most consumers are unaware of the environmental and animal welfare impacts of dairy goat production.

Broiler chickens

Why Do We Call Them Broiler Chickens?

The poultry industry uses the term “broiler chickens” to describe birds farmed for meat. But where exactly does the term come from?

What does "free-range" mean?

What Does “Free-Range” Mean for the Animals?

You might think “free-range” meat comes from happy animals but in reality, the label is no guarantee the farm meets any animal welfare standards.

What Is Grazing?

What Is Grazing?

In animal agriculture, grazing is the practice of allowing animals to roam across land. Grazing allows animals to behave naturally but it also comes with many environmental downsides.

is organic food better for you

Is Organic Food Better for You?

What makes a food “organic”? One survey found only 20 percent of respondents knew the answer.

young girl carrying harvest of strawberries in a greenhouse

What Is a Food System?

Food systems refer to different ways societies organize the production and distribution of food. While some types put a strain on the planet, others have a smaller impact.

what is animal welfare

What Is Animal Welfare?

Public opinion polls find strong levels of support for animal welfare laws aimed at improving the treatment of farm animals.

how many cows are killed per year

How Many Cows Are Killed Each Year?

Almost 300 million cattle were slaughtered globally in 2020, despite research suggesting cows are capable of feeling pain and distress.

cows and climate

Explainer: Why Is Beef Bad for the Planet?

It all comes down to burps and land.

Why is cattle ranching bad for the environment

Why Is Cattle Ranching Bad for the Environment?

Across the globe, cattle ranching is a leading cause of environmental damage, including high levels of water use, deforestation and methane emissions.

How many sharks are killed

How Many Sharks Are Killed Each Year?

Around 100 million sharks are killed each year across the globe, often for their fins and cartilage.

Do Circuses Still Abuse Animals?

Though public opinion polls suggest most people do not support use of animals for circus entertainment, the practice continues unabated.

Join Sentient Media’s New Course: Social Media and Advocacy

In this course, you’ll learn everything from how to create a personal brand on social media to how to use platforms to create change in the animal protection movement.

measuring methane from cattle burps

What’s the Best Way to Measure Methane From Cattle Burps?

Methane stays in the atmosphere for around 12 years, which can make it a tricky gas to calculate.

What Exactly Is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet has taken the world by storm. But what is this diet and is it healthy?

How Much Time Do Cattle Spend on Feedlots?

U.S. cattle feedlots house over 13 million cattle annually, maximizing growth before slaughter.

worst facts about factory farms

6 of the Worst Facts About Factory Farms 

More than 21,000 factory farms raise and slaughter billions of livestock animals each year in the U.S.

Broiler chick

How Many Chickens Are Killed Each Year?

Over 8 billion chickens are killed each year by the food industry.

Insect Farming

Insect Farming: What Types of Bugs Are Farmed?

Each year, over a trillion insects are farmed for human consumption.

12 Climate Solutions

12 Solutions to Climate Change

Here are 12 of the most effective ways to fix climate change. Everyone can help.

methane pollution explainer

Methane Pollution: Why Is Methane Bad for the Environment?

Methane is responsible for 30 percent of global warming since pre-industrial times. Emissions sources include natural gas, landfills and cattle farming.