Meat is often derided as one of the most environmentally damaging foods to consume, but new research is leading some farmers to claim that tofu could be worse.
Speaking at the National Farmers Union (NFU) on Monday, Dr Graham McAuliffe of the Rothamsted Institute explained that his unpublished research on tofu has found that the soya-based protein could have a more drastic impact on the planet than beef, pork and chicken.
Dr McAuliffe, who specialises in measuring the environmental impact of foods, pointed out that his findings should be “interpreted with caution” given they were currently just a “proof of concept”, reports The Times.
“Without a doubt, peas and ground nuts always have a lower environmental impact than any livestock products,” he said.