Lebanon’s Dairy Campaign, Health Risks, and the Rise of Plant‑Based Alternatives
The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture has promoted local dairy production and encouraged its consumption through national campaigns. While these initiatives have sought to boost the sector, dairy consumption in Lebanon and across the wider region nevertheless raises serious concerns. In 2020, two peer‑reviewed papers highlighted these risks. One, which analyzed Lebanese dishes, Arabic sweets, and market foods, linked dairy‑rich diets to obesity and chronic disease. The other reviewed foodborne disease control systems in the Middle East and North Africa and documented outbreaks in Lebanon tied to unpasteurized dairy contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. In response to these concerns, Lebanese producers are offering plant‑based alternatives, some of which are V‑Label certified.
Dailish Expands to the UAE with Golden Prestige Vegan Skincare
The UAE has welcomed a new player in the ethical beauty space as Korean skincare brand Dailish officially launches its Golden Prestige Collection. This expansion marks the brand’s first entry into the Gulf region, reflecting the growing demand for vegan-certified, science-backed skincare among conscious consumers.
Abu al‑Alaʾ al‑Maʿarri: The Medieval Poet‑Philosopher Who Refused to Steal From Nature
Abu al‑Alaʾ al‑Maʿarri (973–1057 CE), the blind Syrian poet and philosopher from Maʿarrat al‑Nuʿman, is remembered as one of the earliest voices to reject the use of animals in every form. His stance was not about ritual or asceticism, but about justice. Through his poetry and his philosophical allegories, he articulated a vision that condemned food exploitation, labor exploitation, and unnecessary killing.
Mezete: Jordan’s Fully Vegan Middle Eastern Cuisine Reaches the U.S.
Mezete, a Jordanian brand created by Kasih Food Production Co., is redefining how Middle Eastern cuisine is experienced in the United States. Building on Kasih’s decades of expertise in producing tahini and halva, Mezete has developed a portfolio that is fully vegan, halal certified, Non‑GMO, and preservative‑free. With nationwide distribution through Whole Foods Market and major chains such as Giant Eagle, Albertsons, Meijer, and ShopRite, the brand is introducing American consumers to authentic plant‑based staples that go far beyond hummus. This expansion reflects both the cultural richness of the Levant and the growing demand for clean‑label vegan foods in mainstream markets.
How to Survive a Fast‑Paced Day as a Vegan Professional in the Middle East
In the fast‑paced rhythm of Middle Eastern cities, professionals often move from early meetings to late nights with little time to pause. For those who are vegan, the challenge is sharper: rushing through the day while trying to find meals that fit their values, keep them energized, and are actually available when hunger strikes. Offices, cafés, and street food stalls may offer plenty of quick options, but most are not vegan, leaving professionals to wonder how they can get through the day without compromise.
Saudi Arabia’s Vegan Hotspots: Exploring the Best Plant‑Based Options
Saudi Arabia’s dining scene is steadily opening up to vegan offerings, with plant‑based food becoming more visible across the Kingdom. Jeddah stands out with fully vegan anchors like Nabati and Sinless, complemented by vegan‑friendly venues such as Cleanse & Glow and Moon Shell. Riyadh, while lacking a fully vegan restaurant, continues to provide strong vegan‑friendly options through cafés and international kitchens. Beyond these major cities, Al Khobar, Medina, Mecca, and smaller centers including Tabuk, Dammam, Hofuf, and Al Qatif are introducing vegan choices through juice bars, casual cafés, and restaurants. Together, these offerings highlight a growing movement that places compassion, sustainability, and health at the heart of dining in Saudi Arabia.
From Cairo’s Streets to the World: Egypt’s National Dish Koshary, a Naturally Vegan Delight
If you wander through the bustling, sun‑drenched streets of Cairo, one sound will inevitably draw your attention: the metallic clanging of spoons against heavy aluminum bowls. This is the unmistakable rhythm of a Koshary shop, where cooks move with remarkable speed to assemble Egypt’s most beloved dish. Recognized by UNESCO as part of Egypt’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, Koshary is more than a meal; it is a cultural symbol, a story of resilience, and a celebration of flavors that have traveled across continents before finding their perfect harmony in Egyptian kitchens.
International Falafel Day: How a Middle Eastern Classic Became a Global Staple
Falafel’s journey is remarkable. Originating in the Middle East, this deep‑fried chickpea fritter was once a modest street food, sold from carts and small shops. Today, it has become a global symbol of plant‑based eating, appearing in fast‑casual chains, supermarket freezers, and home kitchens worldwide. International Falafel Day, observed every June 12, highlights how a dish rooted in tradition has become a universal favorite.
Animetrics Research on Türkiye: Motivations and Barriers Toward Plant‑Forward Diets
In 2026, Animetrics published its Türkiye Profile study, surveying 2,499 adults across the country to explore how consumers perceive plant‑forward diets, what motivates them to reduce animal consumption, and what barriers stand in the way. The report situates Türkiye within global debates on industrial animal agriculture, emphasizing how health, affordability, and cultural identity shape dietary choices. While meat continues to hold a central place in tradition and social identity, the study reveals a growing curiosity about plant‑based eating, particularly among younger and urban populations who are exposed to global food trends and sustainability narratives.
Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Alternatives in the Middle East: Market and Medical Perspectives
Lactose intolerance is one of the most prevalent food sensitivities in the Middle East, with recent peer‑reviewed studies in Saudi Arabia confirming prevalence rates ranging from 7% to over 45% depending on diagnostic methods. A cross‑sectional study in Riyadh found that nearly half of participants tested positive for lactose intolerance, highlighting the widespread nature of the condition. This medical evidence provides a clear explanation for the rapid expansion of lactose‑free and plant‑based dairy alternatives across the region. The IndexBox report on the Middle East food intolerance products market further demonstrates how this health reality has translated into consumer demand, with dairy alternatives now representing the largest segment of intolerance‑related products.
Research by Animetrics on Kuwait: Protecting Farm Animals and Changing Consumer Attitudes
In 2026, Animetrics published its Kuwait study as part of a regional project exploring food systems and farmed animal welfare in Muslim‑majority societies. The Kuwait report provides insight into how cultural traditions, religious values, and modern consumer attitudes shape the country’s relationship with animals and food. Meat remains a central feature of Kuwaiti identity, symbolizing generosity, hospitality, and social belonging, especially during religious and family occasions. At the same time, the research shows that many consumers, particularly younger and urban respondents, are increasingly open to plant‑based diets and alternative proteins, viewing them as healthy and aligned with global sustainability efforts.
How to Navigate Eid al‑Adha as a Vegan: Compassionate Ways to Honor Tradition
Eid al‑Adha is a time of profound spiritual meaning, family gatherings, and acts of charity. For many, it is a celebration rooted in tradition, but for vegans it can also be emotionally challenging because of the central role animal sacrifice plays in Eid. Yet it is possible to honor the spirit of Eid while staying true to values of compassion and mercy, while inspiring others by showing that celebration can be rooted in kindness as well as faith.
Research by Animetrics on Qatar: Protecting Farmed Animals and Changing Consumer Attitudes
In 2026, Animetrics released its research on Qatar as part of a regional series examining food systems and animal welfare in Muslim‑majority societies. This study highlights how Qatar’s rapid development, cultural traditions, and global exposure are shaping consumer perspectives on food and the protection of farmed animals. By situating Qatar within the broader Gulf context, the research reveals both the persistence of hospitality rituals centered on meat and the growing openness among younger generations to plant‑based diets and welfare‑oriented practices.
Countdown to 2028: Australia’s Ban on Live Sheep Exports and the Middle East’s Dilemma
Australia’s landmark decision to legislate the end of live sheep exports by May 2028 marks one of the most significant animal welfare reforms in modern history. For decades, millions of sheep have been shipped across oceans in overcrowded vessels, enduring extreme heat and high mortality before facing slaughter abroad. The Middle East has been among the largest destinations for these shipments, with countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar continuing to import live animals. As the countdown to 2028 begins, the question is no longer whether this trade will end in Australia but how Middle Eastern markets will respond to a global shift away from live animal transport.
Pathways to Protecting Farmed Animals in the United Arab Emirates: Consumer Perspectives and Shifting Food Systems
In early 2026, Animetrics released its study on the United Arab Emirates as part of a regional series examining food systems in Muslim‑majority contexts. Building on Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, this project explores how affluence, rapid modernization, and religious traditions intersect in the Emirates to shape consumer attitudes toward food and animal welfare. The UAE’s position as a global hub of commerce and culture makes it a revealing case, where traditional practices remain central to identity while exposure to international trends and sustainability concerns is reshaping perspectives.
Animetrics Research Examines Türkiye’s Food System Amid Cultural Heritage and Modern Shifts
In early 2026, Animetrics finalized a series of projects exploring how cultural traditions, economic realities, and institutional frameworks shape food systems across Muslim‑majority societies. Covering Lebanon, the Gulf, and Türkiye, these studies provide a comparative lens on resilience and transformation in the region. In Türkiye, the research highlights how a rich culinary heritage, rapid urbanization, and shifting consumer demographics intersect to shape food choices
Meat, Masculinity, and Justification: Insights from Recent Studies in Turkey
A study published in BMC Psychology in 2025 validated Turkish versions of meat‑eating justification scales, showing how individuals rationalize consumption through frameworks such as the “4Ns” (Natural, Necessary, Normal, and Nice) and linking these rationalizations to attitudes like social dominance orientation, speciesism, and masculinity. Complementing this, research conducted at Istanbul University in 2019 examined how male athletes perceive meat as indispensable to performance, reflecting entrenched ideals of strength, dominance, and virility. Taken together, these studies reveal how meat is elevated not only through structured rationalizations but also through symbolic associations, exposing the persistence of norms that reinforce its status rather than questioning its necessity.
Animetrics Research Examines Saudi Arabia’s Food System Amid Tradition and Transformation
From January to March 2026, Animetrics published a set of finalized projects that investigate how cultural traditions, economic pressures, and institutional frameworks shape food systems across Muslim‑majority societies. Covering Lebanon, the Gulf, and Türkiye, these studies provide a regional lens on the shifting dynamics of consumption and resilience. In Saudi Arabia, the research highlights how rapid modernization, shifting demographics, and religious traditions intersect to shape food consumption.
Animetrics Research Examines Lebanon’s Food System Amid Crisis and Cultural Traditions
Between January and March 2026, Animetrics released a series of finalized projects examining how cultural traditions, economic realities, and institutional structures shape food systems in Muslim‑majority contexts, covering Lebanon, the Gulf, and Türkiye. In Lebanon, the research captures a nation in crisis: economic collapse, currency devaluation, and the strain of hosting large refugee populations have reshaped everyday food choices.
Clean Labels, Cultural Roots: How Plant-Based Flavors Shape Saudi Arabia’s Food Future
Saudi Arabia’s natural food flavors sector is entering a dynamic phase, shaped by consumer demand for preservative‑free products and a growing emphasis on health‑conscious choices. Plant‑based sources already dominate the market, with dates, saffron, rose water, and spice blends anchoring the region’s culinary identity. At the same time, new product launches, such as Milaf Cola, a date‑based soft drink, illustrate how traditional ingredients are being reimagined for modern tastes. This transformation aligns with the country’s Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritizes food security, sustainability, and local manufacturing, positioning natural flavors at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s evolving food future.