Capitalism

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Vegan food maker Daiya, bought by big pharma known to test on animals

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Daiya Foods Inc., a privately held Vancouver, Canada-based company specializing in plant-based foods, has been bought out by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for 405 million Cdn$ (325 million US$).

Daiya co-founders Greg Blake and Andrew Kroecher wanted Daiya to be a global leader in the plant-based lifestyle and realized they needed a partner. As stated on their Facebook page, they chose Otsuka to allow Daiya to "build a global plant-based platform ultimately enabling more consumers around the world to enjoy the plant-based lifestyle".

But this move has not been without significant backlash from consumers and retailers. A petition was launched by change.org in response to what they deem as 'backsliding into animal exploitation', urging Daiya to reconsider their decision.

"Otsuka is a known pharmaceutical and nutraceutical company that uses animals in it laboratory testing, as well as in it's research and development." "We the undersigned, ask that Daiya not betray all of their loyal customers, their own core values, and all the vegan businesses that have relied on them to bring plant-based, vegan foods to people all over the world."

Retailers are also boycotting the brand. The Outline reported that stores are boycotting the brand. Nora Vargas, general manager of Orchard Grocer, an all-vegan grocery store on Manhattan's Lower East Side said "the day that the sale was announced we pulled Daiya products from our shelves". And other vegan outposts across the US have fallen suit.

While Daiya says it will remain an independent subsidiary, Otsuka clearly states on their website that they use laboratory animals in testing:

"Use of laboratory animals in some areas of drug development is still necessary in order to validate the efficacy and safety of potential drug candidates prior to use in humans. For testing of Otsuka's non-drug product candidates, laboratory animals are used occasionally, and only when necessary."

Daiya has built a successful group of plant-based products and a loyal customer base. Does the argument of expanding this base globally warrant partnering with a firm that self-declares they test on animals.