This week I’m looking at a major regulatory shift from Health Canada that would let meat from the offspring of cloned animals bypass “novel food” reviews and labelling, and what that could mean for transparency, consumer choice, and even animal suffering over time.

On the local side, there are some quiet moves happening, with the Odd Burger on Church currently listed for sale and Taqueria Vegana rolling out a new Taco Nights deal to make early-week dinners a bit more affordable.

I also stopped by Good Rebel to try the new Juicy Marbles steak fillet and link to the instagram post about that.

Also, The Vegan Fashion Show is running all weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as part of the National Women’s Show, and Avelo is hosting a Fall Afternoon Tea inside their Victorian townhome.

I’ve rounded things out with an update from Animal Justice on troubling conditions at Bervie Zoo and a look at Miyoko’s next chapter under its new owner, Prosperity Organic Foods.

Buy Vegan — Your vegan-only catalogue for Canada

Everything listed is verified vegan and orderable in Canada. Compare prices across retailers, see where to buy, and skip the label decoding. It’s a catalogue of vegan products and point you to the shops that sell them. As a new site, feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

What it is (and isn’t)

• Vegan-only catalogue: every item verified—no label decoding.

• Canada-ready: listings checked for Canadian shipping or local availability.

• Where to buy & price look-up: we strive to list all retailers so you can compare.

• Not a storefront: we don’t sell; we point you to the places that do.

New this week:

New listings roll out weekly as we grow toward a comprehensive vegan database for Canadian shoppers. Let’s vote with our dollars—and Buy Vegan.

Week of November 20 - 26:

News:

• Health Canada, is moving to allow meat from the offspring of cloned cattle and swine to be sold without being classified as “novel foods,” meaning they would not require a formal pre-market safety review or mandatory labelling. While the agency states the science shows no significant difference in safety or composition compared with conventionally bred animals, critics say the lack of transparency means many consumers won’t know when they’re buying cloned-animal-derived meat. This is a controversial topic, but could it lead to less animal suffering?

• A commercial real-estate listing confirms that the Odd Burger franchise unit at 229 Church Street is currently for sale, with multiple brokerages advertising the business for approximately $299,000. While the listing clearly indicates a sale of the existing fast-food operation at that address, there has been no public statement from Odd Burger’s corporate team about the future of the location, so it remains unclear whether the sale would result in a change of ownership, a transition to a new operator, or any change to the restaurant’s continued operation.

• Taqueria Vegana has launched Taco Nights, offering $3 off taco trios every Monday to Wednesday from 5–9 p.m. The discount applies automatically both in-store and online through their website.

Events:

(Please note: Event details are provided as accurately as possible at the time of publishing. We recommend checking directly with organizers or venues for any updates or cancellations before attending.)

• The Vegan Fashion Show
  📅 Date: Friday, November 21 – Sunday, November 23, 2025
  🕒 Time:

  • Friday at 3:45 PM (runway start) 

    Saturday at 11:15 AM 

    Sunday at 12:45 PM

    📍 Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building), 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6
    🎟️ Tickets: Available via the event site

    This edition of The Vegan Fashion Show is held in conjunction with the National Women’s Show Toronto event, marking its integration with a large-scale consumer expo. The show’s mission is to present cruelty-free and sustainable fashion via a runway format, while also educating attendees about next-generation materials such as plant-based leathers and other animal-free textiles. Designers and brands featured are selected for their ethical credentials and innovation in fashion, making this not merely a style event but a platform for change in how clothing is made and consumed. 

  • Fall Afternoon Tea
    📅 Date: November 22/23, 2025
    📍 Location: Avelo Restaurant, 51 St Nicholas St

    Avelo is offering a Fall Afternoon Tea experience featuring a tiered selection of sweet and savoury treats and a choice of loose-leaf teas, hosted inside their 1880s Victorian townhome. The event is $80 plus an 18% service fee and tax. Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated, and some items contain gluten and nuts.

Activism:

• Animal Justice has released new footage documenting ongoing animal suffering at Bervie Zoo in Kincardine, Ontario, where lions, tigers, bears, macaques, and other species continue to be kept in small, barren cages and display clear signs of psychological distress, including pacing, circling, and self-harm. The organization has filed its fourth consecutive legal complaint with Ontario Animal Welfare Services, highlighting concerns about inadequate enrichment, dirty and cramped enclosures, and the possible acquisition of new animals despite long-standing welfare issues. Bervie Zoo has a history of neglect, including a 2022 seizure of dozens of animals and multiple charges related to poor conditions, yet the facility remains open with little regulatory oversight. Animal Justice is calling for urgent intervention and stronger provincial zoo regulations to address the ongoing welfare failures.

World Vegan News:

• Prosperity Organic Foods, the Idaho-based maker of Melt Organic plant butter, has acquired Miyoko’s Creamery, ending weeks of uncertainty for the influential vegan dairy brand. The sale comes shortly after founder Miyoko Schinner revealed that she attempted to buy back the company two years after her forced exit, a bid that ultimately failed despite her efforts to assemble a team and publicly assert her desire to reclaim the brand. Prosperity Organic Foods says it plans to preserve Miyoko’s reputation for artisanal, high-quality vegan butter and cheese while expanding the line under its own plant-based dairy strategy. The acquisition closes a turbulent chapter marked by leadership turnover, litigation, and restructuring, shifting the company’s future direction away from a potential founder-led return and into the hands of its new owner.

In the Near Future:

*(more info will come closer to the dates)

• Vegan Drinks – Fall Spice Event
  📅 Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
  🕒 Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Location: Dosa Mahal, 9 Roncesvalles Avenue

  This monthly social meetup offers a casual space for connecting with others over fully vegan food and drinks. November’s edition will feature South Asian dishes from Dosa Mahal, with gluten-free dosas, pakoras, and other fall-themed options available for purchase. There is no cover charge, and attendees are encouraged to support the venue.

• Flavours Fuel the Future (Part 2)

  📅 Date: November 28
  🕒 Time: 7 p.m.
  📍 Location: 13 SUNS Ethiopian Café & Eatery, 74 Hymus Rd Unit 4, Scarborough, ON M1L 4A1

  This intimate, family-style evening focuses on community, shared recipes, and the mission behind 13 SUNS. Tickets include a three-course dining experience, with a full bar and mocktails available for purchase. Parking is available on site and on the street.

• Aunty Em’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop

  📅 Date: Thursday–Friday, November 28–29, 2025, and every Friday & Saturday in December

  📍 Location: Aunty Em’s Deli & Coffee, 1672 St. Clair Ave. W.

  Aunty Em’s is launching an Holiday Pop-Up Shop, featuring festive treats, sandwiches, coffee, holiday drinks, and ready-to-heat vegan meals. The event will also include a special holiday cake drop, offering an early start to the season’s celebrations.

• ALK’s Vegan Holiday Market
  📅 Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
  🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  📍 Location: 100 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 3H3
  Hosted by Animal Liberation Kitchen (ALK), this is billed as Toronto’s “only Vegan Holiday Market” for the year. The event invites visitors to support local creators and non-profits, browse art and gifts, and enjoy vegan food, treats and warm drinks. The festival is public and is held at the Broadview venue in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood.

• Vegan Baking Group: Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange

  📅 Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025

  🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  📍 Location: Wishbone Animal Rights Lab

  The Vegan Baking Group’s annual Holiday Cookie Exchange will take place at Wishbone Animal Rights Lab’s new space. To reserve a spot, please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, December 12; organizers will confirm how many cookies to bake with attendees after the RSVP deadline.

• New Year’s Eve 2025 – 5-Course Tasting Menu at Avelo
  📅 Date: December 31, 2025
  📍 Location: Avelo Restaurant, 51 St Nicholas St

  Avelo is offering a special New Year’s Eve five-course tasting menu featuring dishes created exclusively for the night, along with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a non-alcoholic alternative. The event is $120 per person with a $30 deposit required, and an optional wine pairing is available.

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