{"id":22031,"date":"2022-06-09T13:00:36","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T13:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/?p=22031"},"modified":"2022-06-09T13:00:36","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T13:00:36","slug":"consumers-need-transparency-in-labeling-of-plant-based-meat-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nclnet.org\/plant-based-meat-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumers need transparency in labeling of plant-based meat alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Agenda-Setting Report Identifies Seven Priorities for Regulatory Action <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

June 9, 2022<\/p>\n

Media contact: National Consumers League \u2013 Katie Brown, katie@nclnet.org, (202) 207-2832<\/p>\n

Washington, DC \u2013 As more plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) that closely mimic the look, taste, and cooking properties of traditional meat products enter the U.S. market almost daily, the National Consumers League (NCL) today released a report<\/a> with seven priorities for regulatory action to ensure that labels of so-called \u201cmeatless meats\u201d readily identify the protein source and inform consumers of the nutritional composition of each PBMA product.<\/p>\n

Issued as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing draft guidance for food manufacturers on the labeling of plant-based milks and alternatives to animal-derived foods,
\nthe report underscores the importance of consumer-focused labeling to sustain the growth of the plant-based meats category, which has been fueled by consumer optimism. Findings were informed by an expert panel meeting held in 2021 that explored a standard of identity for PBMAs and based on an assessment of the PBMA marketplace which NCL conducted in 2022 to identify action steps that will significantly impact public awareness and understanding of PBMAs and can be readily implemented.<\/p>\n

Providing up-to-date information on the issues affecting the labeling of plant-based meat alternatives, the report \u2013 Education and Transparency in Labeling Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Consumer-Focused Agenda to Improve Understanding and Decision-Making of Plant-Based Meats<\/em> \u2013documents promising projections for PBMA sales in the U.S. and globally. Recent polling shows that two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) consumed plant-based meat alternatives in 2021, and two in five (42 percent) ate PBMAs at least weekly.[1]<\/a> Due to consumer demand, the plant-based meat category delivered $1.4 billion in sales in the U.S. in 2021 \u2013 up from $962 million in 2019 [2]<\/a> \u2013 and a Bloomberg Intelligence<\/em> report projects a 500 percent increase in global sales of plant-based foods by 2030[3]<\/a>. Moreover, a recent market analysis predicts a growth rate of almost 20 percent globally for plant-based meats between 2021 and 2026 if consumer interest in PBMAs continues to grow.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

Yet, the NCL report points to marketplace challenges for plant-based meat substitutes. Currently, many brands define PBMAs differently and there is a lack of clarity about how to use traditional meat, dairy, and egg terminology on product labels. Additionally, only half of Americans were \u201cvery\u201d or \u201csomewhat\u201d familiar with PBMAs in 2020 and 30 percent had no knowledge, according to a Gallup survey.[5]<\/a> This lack of understanding is concerning because new plant-based meats are unique in their formulations and processing techniques\u2013 meaning products can differ in calories, saturated fat, sodium content, and levels of protein, fiber, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and other nutrients. Plant-based meats may also contain a food allergen depending on the source of the plant proteins in the product.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> International Food Information Council. Consumption Trends, Preferred Names and Perceptions of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives. November 3, 2021<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Good Food Institute. US retail market data for the plant-based industry.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Fortune. Plant-based food sales are expected to increase fivefold by 2030. August 11, 2021<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> ResearchandMarket.com. Plant-Based Meat Market-Global Industry Analysis (2018-2020) & Growth Trends and Market Forecast (2021-2026). January 11, 2022<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Gallup. Four in Ten Americans Have Eaten Plant-Based Meats. January 28, 2020<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlant-based meat alternatives are a popular and valued part of our food supply,\u201d said Sally Greenberg, NCL\u2019s Executive Director. \u201cThis is why the public needs regulatory policies that ensure the labels on these products are accurate, complete, and provide the qualifiers necessary for consumers to understand what they are purchasing.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the agency that regulates plant-based foods in the U.S., FDA shares this viewpoint and has sought information on a range of issues to issue draft guidance on the labeling of plant-based foods. Therefore, NCL prepared the report to articulate the consumer\u2019s voice on PBMA labeling and lay out a blueprint for FDA and the food industry to ensure the information needs of the public are addressed. Specifically, the report identifies 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 \u201cplant-based meat alternatives\u201d that will unite all stakeholders. <\/strong>Because brands define the term \u201cplant-based\u201d differently, 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.<\/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. Even when the label states the product contains no meat or eggs, consumers are influenced by the brand name, especially if packaging and promotional content feature pictures and iconography of animals or the type of meat.
    \n<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Require that labels on PBMAs are standardized and clarify the protein source. <\/strong>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:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n