{"id":21586,"date":"2022-02-17T17:29:52","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T17:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/?p=21586"},"modified":"2022-02-17T17:38:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T17:38:01","slug":"consumers-need-accurate-product-names-and-labeling-of-plant-based-meat-products","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/pbma_labeling\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumers need accurate product names and labeling of plant-based meat products"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NancyBy Nancy Glick, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

With mounting information that plant-based diets are generally better for people\u2019s health and the environment, many consumers are giving \u201cmeatless meats\u201d a try.<\/p>\n

About two-thirds of Americans consumed \u201cplant-based meat alternatives\u201d \u2013 or PBMAs \u2013 in the past year, with 20 percent eating them at least weekly, according to an August 2021 survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC).[1]<\/a> As a result, current estimates put the market for PBMAs at $1.4 billion \u2013 up from $962 million in 2019[2]<\/sup><\/a> \u2013and a Bloomberg Intelligence Report predicts a 500 percent increase in global sales of plant-based foods globally by 2030.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

It is easy to understand consumers\u2019 excitement about meatless products that closely resemble the look, feel and taste of burgers, sausages, deli meat and other products made from beef, pork, chicken, eggs and seafood. Polling shows consumers\u2019 top reason for buying these products is the perceived healthfulness of PBMAs. The most sought-after benefits consumers cite are heart health and a good source of high quality and complete protein.<\/p>\n

Yet, the reality is that plant-based meat products vary in their formulations, nutritional content and can be high in saturated fat and sodium. These products are often packaged in the same way as their animal protein counterparts and routinely sold next to the meat section in supermarkets. Thus, consumers need clarity in labeling to ensure product names, descriptions and packaging are not misleading and consumers have the qualifying terms to make informed decisions.<\/p>\n

As the agency that regulates plant-based foods in the US, the Food and Drug Administration shares this viewpoint. Later this year, FDA will issue draft guidance on the labeling of plant-based milks and plant-based alternatives to \u201canimal-derived foods\u201d (meats) under the umbrella of the agency\u2019s Nutrition Innovation Strategy. The strategy addresses the need for FDA to modernize its regulatory approach for new categories of foods, like PBMAs, developed through the latest technologies.<\/p>\n

In developing its draft labeling guidance, FDA has sought information on a range of issues related to labeling, including whether consumers understand terms like \u201cmilk\u201d when used in the name of plant-based alternatives and are aware of the nutritional differences between traditional meat and dairy products and their plant-based substitutes. In response, the agency has received thousands of comments from industry groups, manufacturers, academic institutions and professional societies offering their viewpoints. However, the National Consumers League contends that the consumer\u2019s voice must be articulated and heard. Unless the information needs of consumers are clearly defined, FDA\u2019s goal of labeling for transparency and clarity will not be realized.<\/p>\n

To provide the consumer perspective, especially regarding decisions about plant-based meat alternatives, in November 2021 NCL and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) convened a panel of experts to assess consumers\u2019 needs for accurate naming, labeling and claims on the package of PBMAs. Comprising regulatory specialists, market researchers, consumer advocates and food industry leaders, the panel also addressed how some key principles laid out in FDA\u2019s Nutrition Innovation Strategy \u2013 a common nomenclature, accurate naming and labeling, and elements that assure honesty and fair dealing — can be applied to improve consumer understanding, perception, and decision-making of PBMA products.<\/p>\n

In the near future, NCL will issue a full report of the findings of the expert panel and the implications for consumer education efforts and public policy. However, the need to articulate the consumer perspective on labeling PBMAs shouldn\u2019t wait. Therefore, NCL has translated the consensus from the expert panel into a blueprint for FDA and the food industry.<\/p>\n

The following are the seven priorities for labeling, naming and marketing plant-based meats alternatives that are in the best interest of consumers:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Establish a definition for the category of \u201cplant-based meat alternatives\u201d that will unite all stakeholders
    \n<\/strong>Today, many brands, companies and organizations define the term \u201cplant-based\u201d differently and there is not collective agreement on definition of a \u201cmeat alternative.\u201d Since these terms represent an entire class of food products, FDA guidance should define what constitutes a \u201cplant-based meat alternative\u201d to promote consistency in labeling across the category.<\/li>\n
  2. Ensure brand names are not deceptive
    \n<\/strong>NCL\u2019s position is it is a deceptive practice to use brand names for PBMAs that suggest a product contains meat, seafood or eggs when none is present or is better\/healthier than the traditional animal protein product. Even when the label states the product contains no meat or eggs, consumers are influenced by the brand name, especially if the packaging and content on the website, social media platforms and in ads shows pictures and iconography of animals or the type of meat. <\/li>\n
  3. Require that labels on PBMAs are standardized and clarify the protein source<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    For labels of PBMAs to be transparent, the naming and labeling of PBMAs must be uniform and consistent and ensure that consumers can readily identify the protein source. Accordingly, FDA should require that all labels and advertisements for PBMAs must:<\/p>\n