Freedom and the Ethics of Plant-Based Diets in University Food Services

Steel, D., Crookall, B., Phillips, C.L., Des Roches, C.T., & Mintz-Woo, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9216-9561 (2025). Freedom and the Ethics of Plant-Based Diets in University Food Services. Food Ethics 10 (2) e17. 10.1007/s41055-025-00176-y.

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Abstract

A number of universities have implemented policies to increase the proportion of plant-based items offered by their food services as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and health. This article explores student freedom as an ethical issue in this context. Our central claim is that, while freedom is indeed an important ethical concern for university plant-based food initiatives, these efforts can avoid unjustifiably interfering with freedom if certain conditions are met. We suggest four criteria: (1) public messaging surrounding dietary choices should avoid stigmatizing meat-eating, (2) menus should retain some animal-source foods and ensure that plant-based substitutes included nutritionally fortified and whole food options, (3) the aggressiveness of the transition should be calibrated to student support, and (4) plant-based menu items should be appealing on their own terms.

Item Type:	Article
Research Programs:	Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) Population and Just Societies (POPJUS) > Equity and Justice (EQU)
Depositing User:	Michaela Rossini
Date Deposited:	03 Dec 2025 13:03
Last Modified:	03 Dec 2025 13:03
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/21032

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