Whole Foods CEO John Mackey has spoken out with concerns over the plant-based meat craze.
Mackey told CNBC on Aug. 28 that he thought plant-based meat substitutes could be good for the environment, but not for your health.
“If you look at the ingredients, they are super-highly processed foods,” Mackey told CNBC.
“I don’t think eating highly processed foods is healthy. I think people thrive on eating whole foods.”
He continued by saying, “As for health, I will not endorse that, and that is about as big a criticism that I will do in public.”
Beyond Meat got its start at Whole Foods in 2013, when the store began selling its vegan chicken strips.
Mackey said the grocery store chain has been a launching pad for almost all of the startup company’s plant-based meats.
The products have raised some skepticism in the public and media regarding their potential health benefits.
