Vegan Labels Claim they are as Healthy as Meat

According to the latest news, the farming representative body is attempting to treat the misconception that plant-based meat and dairy copycat products are as healthy as the real thing. Hence, the vegan labelling committee is raising public awareness so that people are aware. In fact, the  National Farmers’ Federation is submitting this particular point as a part of its senate inquiry into the labelling of alternative protein products.

The inquiry was launched by Queensland Senator Susan McDonald, who argues it is up to makers of plant-based vegan products to come up with their own distinct terms instead of trading off long-established names of animal proteins. NFF chief executive officer Tony Maher said the use of animal protein language and images on the labels of plant-based products has the impact of conveying nutritional equivalence when that is very much not the case.

Put simply, there are plant-based protein products currently marketed using meat or dairy language that contain no meat or dairy. This is at best unethical and potentially misleading from a consumer law and industry perspective. Another point NFF is expected to express is that Australia’s meat and dairy industries continue to face significant compliance standards. Plant-based protein foods (vegan) trading of the name of meat and dairy must be required to comply with similar levels of standards in a way that indicates an equivalence, irrespective of whether or not they are equivalent products.

The NFF believes that irrespective of the outcome of this inquiry, the Government should commit to continuing to review labelling arrangements regularly to ensure they remain relevant and appropriate. This policy area will likely become more complex over time with new vegan products and new claims entering the market.

Vegan

Vegans are individuals who avoid animal products for ethical, health, or environmental reasons — or a combination of the three. Instead, they eat various plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and products made from these foods. Vegans are individuals who avoid animal products for ethical, health, or environmental reasons — or a combination of the three. Instead, they eat various plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and products made from these foods.

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)