Today’s quick hits, December 5, 2019

Plant-based push in China (Wall Street Journal): As Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods look to expand into China, they face challenges in a country that has a long history of plant-based meat substitutes and plenty of fake-meat startups.

A healthier burger? (New York Times): Even as the demand for plant-based burgers grows, experts are trying to determine if the highly processed meats actually offer a clear health benefit.

Kudlow working on biofuel mandate (Bloomberg): White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow is reportedly working with EPA officials on a proposal to assure greater use of corn ethanol, a response to Corn Belt complaints that the agency’s current plan is too weak.

As climate warms, birds shrink (Washington Post): A long-term study by a Chicago ornithologist found that birds weigh slightly less and have slightly longer wings than they once did, most likely as a result of higher summer temperatures.

‘Naturally fatty’ foie gras (Reuters): Researchers in France have found bacteria that, when ingested by geese in a serum, stimulates a natural build-up of fat in the liver, creating the possibility of the world’s first ethically friendly foie gras.