The vegan movement has been gaining significant traction in recent years as an increasing number of people have become aware of the ethical, health, and environmental implications of consuming animal products.
While this shift in dietary habits has led to a surge in the demand for plant-based alternatives to traditional animal-based foods, some people have resisted making the switch due to concerns about the taste and texture of vegan options. Critics argue that plant-based foods can never replicate the taste of their animal-derived counterparts and that they are often less filling and satisfying.
Companies like Brave Robot come to bridge this gap, using whey milk protein that is exactly the same as the animal one, but that has been produced in a lab without the use of any animals in the process. The goal is to allow vegans and those with allergies to enjoy the taste and nutrition of cow’s milk without any ethical or health concerns.
But not all vegans agree with this perspective. In this article, we will explore how this ice cream is made, and the arguments from both sides so that you can form your informed opinion.
- What is in Brave Robot Ice Cream?
- How is animal-free milk made? What is non-animal whey made of?
- Does Brave Robot have dairy?
- Is Brave Robot healthy?
- Is Brave Robot ice cream vegan?
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1. What is in Brave Robot Ice Cream?
Brave Robot ice cream is made with a combination of water, sugar, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and non-animal whey protein.
The Ingredients in Vanilla Flavor or Brave Robot Ice Cream are as follows:
WATER, SUGAR, COCONUT OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, NON-ANIMAL WHEY PROTEIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, VANILLA BEAN SEED, CALCIUM POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE CITRATE, SALT, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, CAROB BEAN GUM, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES.
Contains Milk Protein
The ingredient that stands out is the non-animal whey protein, which is the company’s big differentiator from other vegan ice cream products made out of cashew, soy, or coconut.
Even though the label specifies that the whey protein is “non-animal”, the ice cream still needs to be labeled as containing milk protein. This is because the whey protein composition of the ingredient is the same as that of animal-derived whey protein, and thus it has the potential to trigger allergies in people with milk allergies.
But how exactly is this non-animal whey protein made? Answering this question is key to understanding the potential ethical implications vegans can be concerned about.
2. How is animal-free milk made? What is non-animal whey made of?
Brave Robot sources its animal-free milk protein from the ingredient company Perfect Day.
Instead of milking cows, Perfect Day uses a process called precision fermentation to create milk proteins from microflora and plants. The microflora consists of yeast and other microorganisms.
Precision fermentation is a process of milk-protein production that does not require cows or other animals. This method of producing animal-free milk is more sustainable and efficient than traditional methods, as it does not require the raising and maintenance of livestock. In addition, precision fermentation does not produce the greenhouse gases that are associated with animal husbandry.
The microflora used in precision fermentation is first placed in a fermentation tank along with water and plant sugars. They are then allowed to ferment. As they ferment, the microflora produces milk proteins identical to those found in cow’s milk.
Perfect Day filters the milk protein out from the microflora, and the result is pure animal-free milk protein. This technology is revolutionizing the dairy industry and has the potential to change the way we think about milk production.
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3. Does Brave Robot have dairy?
When it comes to determining whether or not a food product contains dairy, the composition of the product is what matters most. And when you compare the composition of Brave Robot’s non-animal milk to that of actual cow’s milk, you’ll see that they’re identical.
So, from a purely scientific standpoint, there’s no doubt that Brave Robot’s milk would be classified as containing dairy. However, it’s important to note that Brave Robot’s milk is made in a laboratory and does not come from cows.
4. Is Brave Robot healthy?
This is a more nuanced argument. Brave Robot is selling ice cream, which arguably is not the healthiest food, even when made completely from dairy-free sources. Ice cream contains oils and sugars, that have been known to be damaging to long-term health if overconsumed. These substances contribute to weight gain and can increase the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
When thinking about the health implications of having non-animal whey protein in the product, the company points out that their product does not contain any hormones, lactose, or antibiotics.
However, studies linking animal protein consumption to health concerns such as cancer and heart disease have been published, and there is no reason to believe that the same risks wouldn’t be present when consuming non-animal whey protein. In fact, some studies have shown that plant-based proteins may actually be protective against some of these diseases.
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5. Is Brave Robot Ice Cream Vegan?
After analyzing the composition, manufacturing process, and health concerns of Brave Robot Ice Cream, it is safe to say that it would be considered a vegan product.
Even though it contains an ingredient that would normally be seen as an “animal product”, the definition of veganism aims to exclude animal exploitation and cruelty, and not necessarily animal products that have been artificially manufactured.
“Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment.”
Brave Robot Ice Cream fits the definition of veganism, and is, therefore, defined as a vegan-friendly product.
It is up to each person to decide their comfort level in introducing this product to their lives, considering the additional concerns that one might have in regards to the consumption of dairy products.