Frederic Melton
Whole Foods Market is a cruelty-free company that does not test on animals. They do not conduct or fund animal testing at any level, from their ingredients to their finished products. They also ensure that their suppliers and third parties do not test on animals. Whole Foods offers a wide range of vegan cheese options, which are free from animal-derived ingredients and do not involve animal testing. However, it is important to note that some of their dairy cheese products may still come from farms that use synthetic growth hormones on their cows.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cruelty-free | Yes |
| Vegan | No |
| Dairy-free | Yes |
| Animal testing | No |
| Third-party animal testing | No |
| Owned by a parent company that tests on animals | No |
| Certified by cruelty-free organisations | No |
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What You'll Learn
Whole Foods' vegan cheese options
Whole Foods offers a wide range of vegan cheese options, with sources claiming there are 84 kinds of vegan cheese available at the retailer.
Some of the vegan cheese brands available at Whole Foods include Daiya, which is one of the more popular options, Kite Hill, Follow Your Heart, AshaPops, Treeline, Violife, Miyoko's Creamery, and Every Body Eat.
One vegan cheese option available at Whole Foods that has received rave reviews online is Rebel Cheese. A user on Reddit claimed that it was a "game changer" and that they "got emotional eating it because [they] truly felt this could be the beginning of the end of industrial, animal agriculture."
It's important to note that some products advertised as “dairy-free” or "lactose-free" may still contain whey protein or casein, which are milk proteins. For example, Lisanatti, a brand carried by Whole Foods, markets some of its products as "almond" or "cheddar style," but they contain casein.
Whole Foods has confirmed that they do not test their products or ingredients on animals, nor do their suppliers or any third parties. This includes anywhere in the world, such as mainland China, where animal testing is more common. Therefore, when shopping for vegan cheese at Whole Foods, you can be confident that the products have not been tested on animals.
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Whole Foods' animal testing policy
Whole Foods has a strict animal testing policy. The company does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do its suppliers or any third parties. This policy is verified worldwide, including in mainland China, where animal testing is often required by law. Whole Foods is not owned by any parent company that tests on animals, which is common in the beauty industry.
Whole Foods has expanded its commitment to animal welfare by requiring additional products and species to meet its quality standards for meat. The company has increased the number of approved third-party animal welfare programs that certify products sold in its stores, facilitating increased accountability and transparency for humanely raised animals. Whole Foods has had requirements for how animals are raised since 1981 and has incrementally strengthened those standards over the years. Notably, in 2011, they began requiring third-party certification for the most-purchased species in the butcher case. In 2024, they expanded their standards to require third-party certification across the entire Meat department, with a firm deadline of the end of 2026 for full implementation.
Whole Foods' meat department offers a wide range of animal welfare-certified products, including fresh beef, pork, chicken, turkey, goat, and lamb. These products meet rigorous standards, including no antibiotics, no animal by-products in feed, no synthetic nitrates or nitrites, required inspections for animal welfare at slaughter, and no crates, cages, or tethers. Additionally, Whole Foods does not sell meat sourced from genetically engineered or cloned animals and does not offer foie gras.
While Whole Foods has been perceived as a leader in natural, sustainable, and healthy foods, there have been concerns about the presence of antibiotic residues in its meat products. Testing conducted by Farm Forward revealed drug residue in meat marketed as "antibiotic-free," "Animal Welfare Certified," and "USDA Organic." This has raised questions about the accuracy of Whole Foods' labelling and the effectiveness of their standards in ensuring animal welfare.
Whole Foods offers a wide selection of dairy products, including cheese, from farms that do not give their cows synthetic growth hormones. Their own 365 Everyday Value® and Whole Foods Market™ brand dairy products are sourced from farmers who pledge not to use synthetic growth hormones. The company also offers cage-free eggs, allowing laying hens to move around freely, exercise, and scratch instead of being confined to a cage.
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Whole Foods' cruelty-free certification
Whole Foods has committed to animal welfare by requiring additional products and species to meet its quality standards for meat. The company has increased the number of approved third-party animal welfare programs that certify products sold in its stores, including A Greener World's Certified Animal Welfare Approved and Humane Farm Animal Care's Certified Humane Raised and Handled. Whole Foods also has its own baseline animal welfare requirements, which are stronger than most and include no antibiotics, no animal by-products in feed, no synthetic nitrates or nitrites, and no crates, cages or tethers.
Whole Foods does not conduct or fund animal testing at any level, from ingredients to finished products. Their suppliers and third parties also do not engage in animal testing. Whole Foods is not certified by any organizations, such as Leaping Bunny or PETA, that offer cruelty-free certification. However, it is possible for companies to be fully cruelty-free without being certified.
Whole Foods offers a wide selection of dairy products, including many from farms that don't give their cows synthetic growth hormones. Their 365 Everyday Value and Whole Foods Market brand dairy products, including cheese, are sourced from farmers who pledge not to use synthetic growth hormones.
Whole Foods also offers vegan cheese options, with 84 kinds available according to PETA. However, some vegan cheese options are marketed as "dairy-free" or "lactose-free" when they still contain whey protein or casein, which are milk proteins that come from cows.
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Whole Foods' dairy products
Whole Foods Market offers a wide selection of dairy products, including many from farms that don't give their cows synthetic growth hormones. The company's 365 Everyday Value and Whole Foods Market brand dairy products (including cheese) are sourced from farmers who pledge not to use recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), a synthetic growth hormone. Organic dairy products are also free from synthetic growth hormones as per National Organic Standards.
Whole Foods Market also offers a range of vegan cheese options for those looking for dairy-free alternatives. These products are made from plants, oils, and seasonings, and are marketed as being healthier and more sustainable than traditional dairy cheese. While some vegan cheese brands may still contain whey protein or casein, which are milk proteins, Whole Foods carries a variety of fully vegan options. For example, Miyoko's cashew-based cheese is a popular choice that melts, bubbles, and browns in the oven, making it perfect for pizzas, caprese salads, or paninis. Other options include coconut-based cheddars, queso fundido made with cashews and veggies, and artisanal vegan cheeses like Caramelized Onion Camembert, Smoked Gouda, and Organic Aged Cashew.
Whole Foods Market is committed to animal welfare and does not test its products on animals. This commitment extends to their suppliers and any third parties they work with. The company is not certified by any organizations, but it is included on cruelty-free lists compiled by PETA and Cruelty-Free Kitty. However, it is important to note that Whole Foods is not 100% vegan, as some of its products do contain animal-derived ingredients.
In summary, Whole Foods Market provides a range of dairy products, including cheese, butter, and milk, with options sourced from farms that do not use synthetic growth hormones. They also offer a diverse selection of vegan cheeses that are free from dairy and animal-derived ingredients, contributing to a more sustainable and ethical food industry.
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Whole Foods' meat and poultry standards
Whole Foods Market has strict meat and poultry standards that take into account the comfort, physical safety, and health of the animals. The company has strong relationships with farmers and ranchers, allowing them to know where the animals were raised and how they were treated. Whole Foods Market has developed rigorous standards with the welfare of the animals in mind.
Their baseline standards for meat and poultry include a ban on antibiotics and added hormones. Sick animals must receive treatment, but meat from antibiotic-treated animals is not sold at Whole Foods Market. Additionally, no animal by-products are allowed in feed, including feather meal or rendered fat. For beef cattle, sheep, and goats, at least two-thirds of their lives must be spent on pasture. Crates, cages, or tethers are not permitted, except during transportation.
Whole Foods Market also has requirements for the slaughter of animals, including audits to ensure animal welfare. All meat and poultry must be traceable back to the farm or ranch, and third-party certification is often required. For example, products labeled as "grass-fed" must be 100% grass-fed and verified by a third party. Synthetic nitrates and nitrites are prohibited, as is treating meat with ionizing radiation. Cultured or lab-grown meat is also prohibited, and meat must not be sourced from genetically engineered or cloned animals.
Whole Foods Market offers a range of meat and poultry options, including organic, dry-aged, and free-range. Their butchers can provide various cuts of meat, such as spatchcocked chicken or Frenched lamb chops. The company is committed to improving the lives of farm animals and requires all fresh beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, and goat to meet more than 100 animal welfare standards.
In terms of cruelty-free practices, Whole Foods does not test its finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do its suppliers or any third parties. The company is not owned by any parent company that tests on animals. While Whole Foods is not certified as cruelty-free by organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA, it adheres to strict internal standards that align with cruelty-free principles.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Whole Foods does not test their finished products or ingredients on animals, and neither do their suppliers or third parties.
Whole Foods offers a wide selection of vegan cheese options, which are cruelty-free. However, they also sell dairy cheese, which is not cruelty-free.
Some popular vegan cheese options at Whole Foods include Miyoko's, Chao, and Sweet Simple Vegan.
Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value and Whole Foods Market brand dairy cheeses are from farmers who pledge not to use synthetic growth hormones on their cows.
