The first day of November marks World Vegan Day, an event created by environmental and animal rights activists to promote the lifestyle that is becoming more popular throughout the world.
The day was established by the Chair of The Vegan Society, Louise Wallis in 1994, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organisation and the year the word ‘vegan’ first came into use.
In honour of the occasion, Guinness World Records has curated a list of 10 plant-based titles that will excite vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike.
1. Largest vegan cake
What better way to celebrate World Vegan Day than by baking a cake?
On 16 June 2016, Swiss companies Skipp Communications AG and Merz AG created a 433.56 kg (955 lb 13.3 oz) cake that contained no animal products whatsoever. It was presented, weighed and then devoured by 3,000 people in Chur, Switzerland.
Merz AG focuses on healthy food and organised this promotional to celebrate the 70th anniversary the company.
2. Largest fruit display
On 28 July 2016, the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil assembled a display of fresh fruit at the Esplanada dos Ministérios in Brasilia.
Weighing a total of 18,805 kg (41,459 lb), it consisted of 19 different fruits, including 4,562 kg (10,057 lb) of watermelon and 2,785 kg (6,139 lb) of oranges.
The 200‑metre‑long (656 ft) display was put together to mark the Day of the Rural Producer and was distributed to local people after the event.
3. Oldest vegetarian restaurant
Vegan shops and cafes are now popping up all over the world but the Oldest vegetarian restaurant is Haus Hiltl, founded on 3 July 1898 in Zurich, Switzerland.
It has been managed by the Hiltl family since 4 July 1904 and is currently looked after by the fourth generation of the family, as verified on 28 June 2012.
4. Most Marmite eaten in one minute
Whether you’re vegan or a meat-eater, people either love or hate Marmite.
However, it’s unlikely anyone loves Marmite more than Germany’s André Ortolf, who ate a staging 252 g (8.8 oz) of the yeast extract spread on 7 September 2016 to beat the previous record of 218 g (7.6 oz), set by his hero Ashrita Furman (USA) on 16 May 2012.
5. Largest glass of freshly squeezed orange juice
As part of an engagement event for Altadis staff, a 1,525 litre (335.45 gal) glass of orange juice was produced in Valencia on 24 Nov 2016.
To achieve this jumbo juice, which could have filled nearly seven bathtubs, 400 people were squeezing citrus fruit for an hour!
Interestingly, although named after the Spanish city, the famous Valencia orange variety actually originates from California, USA.
6. Largest vegetable mosaic
The Largest vegetable mosaic measures 1,858.07 m² (20,000 ft²) was achieved by Saint Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan and Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing, at SMG Sports Complex in Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa, Haryana, India, on 25 March 2014.
7. Most grapes eaten in one minute
Fruit lover and multiple record holder, Dinesh Shivnath Upadhyaya, achieved this title with a total of 73, in Mumbai, India, on 7 June 2014.
8. Oldest cultivated plants for food
The first domesticated plants are the eight species of Neolithic founder crop.
Domesticated by early Holocene farming communities in south-west Asia’s Fertile Crescent region, they date back to 9500 bce and consist of the flax plant, four species of pulse and three species of cereal – all favourites of modern day healthy eaters.
9. Tallest basil plant
Everyone should have a basil plant in their kitchen, but this one would take up the whole room. It measured 3.34 m (10 ft 11.5 in) on 4 July 2012 and was grown by Anastasia Grigoraki in Ierapetra, Crete, Greece.
10. Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit (male)
Some people love fruit so much that they choose to dress up as the food.
The UK’s Andrew Lawrence ran the Virgin Money London Marathon in a banana costume on 24 April 2016, finishing in an impressive time of 2 hr 47 min 41 sec.