The organization that bears his name reveals that this year more people are taking up the Veganuary challenge.

Veganuary, the global organization that encourages people to try the vegan diet during January, said it had “reached a new milestone” with nearly 610,000 people taking part in the 2022 event.

This figure exceeds the total of 580,000 participants from last year worldwide.

Veganuary states that registrations for 2022 “remain strong”, so this year’s numbers are expected to increase.

The organization said “hundreds” of new plant-based products have been launched this month, including KFC’s vegan chicken burger making a permanent return to the fast food chain’s menu, McDonald’s making the McPlant burger available at all UK restaurants and Burger King. launch the first nuggets vegan “chicken” from England.

Celebrities like Dr. Jane Goodall, Joanna Lumley and Venus Williams have supported this year’s campaign.

“Veganuary’s mission is to make the world a friendlier, safer and happier place for everyone, which makes their January campaign truly exciting,” Lumley said in a statement. “I marvel at everyone who participates for the weather, our rivers and oceans, forests and wild places, animals and people.”

Dragon’s Den investor Deborah Meaden is one of Veganuary’s official ambassadors for 2022 and emphasizes that a plant-based diet is helping her “change the way I eat”.

“Now my diet is the best for the animals, the planet and for me. If the climate crisis, animal suffering or loss of wild places and species worry you, register, participate and let Veganuary help you too,” added Meaden.

Toni Vernelli, Veganuary Communications Manager, said: “It’s great to celebrate the biggest Veganuary in history with January still two weeks away, but not surprising. As more and more people realize the tremendous impact our food choices have on the health of our planet, attitudes towards the vegan diet are changing and so are our diets.”