The use of meat denominations for products of vegetal protein is opening a war, because they want to be used in the same way as in foods of animal meat origin. Competition has emerged from meat and this has brought about the conflict regarding the correct or confusing use of names for some or other products. Can you call it sausage or hamburger one who is vegan? Discover the two opposing positions in this fierce fight that has moved to Brussels. How is vegan food transforming the market? Is this just the beginning of what's to come in the industry?
The European Parliament takes action on the matter
We need conflict to come to appreciate a cultural, I laughed. In this case, we are dealing with the conflict between meat producers and those of their vegan substitutes. We must be aware of the course that the fight has taken from today. While we are writing this article, the second vote is taking place in the European Parliament on the meat denominations. In these two the amendments will be approved 165 y 171, which will limit the use of terms such as «vegetable burger« and will replace them with disco o cylinder. It will also ban others such as «alternative to cheese.
The cards are already drawn and we know the results of the vote in advance. It is not the first time, because in 2017 the body banned the term "milk" for vegetable drinks. In this way, the labeling went from "Soy milk" a "Soy drink". We encourage you to look for "oat milk" when you go shopping. You will not find it.
To understand the dispute over the name, something important must be kept in mind. European regulations are characterized by transparency. All foods must contain the exact information about its ingredients and nutrients. Thus, it should not leave any room for doubt. This is why meat producers complain. They claim that names such as "vegan sausages" confuse the consumer. In fact, they claim that it is not a question of whether to eat meat or not. They consider it a matter of calling Are things by their name.
Meat denominations must be clear
La Meat Business Association (anafric) has joined the campaign #This is not a steak. Bill manifest at the European level, he criticizes the attitude of multinationals on vegan food. He considers that they are usurping and appropriating of the terrain culturally associated with meat. In addition, they point out that this can confuse the consumer and make him think that he is buying meat, when he is not. An argument used is that they do not launch a "Meat falafel." On the contrary, they respect what we know as falafel.
They encourage them to seek their own denominations to coexist in peace without confusing anyone. One source of confusion they point to is that consumers may think that both meat and its alternative have the same properties. They do not look favorably on calling two products made from different ingredients.
The vegan side
Vegetable "meat" companies do not consider their meat denominations harm anyone. They wield studies to dismantle the arguments against them. To begin with, they say that between 70 and 80% of Spaniards distinguish the alternatives and know how to choose in a supermarket. They are based on the Nomenclature of Plant-Based Foods survey. In it, the organizations ProVeg, Upfield, Heura y Oatly they asked a sample of three thousand Spaniards.
They declare that only the 17% of the population would confuse terms such as "Soy milk" with animal products. Thus, they are reluctant to the aforementioned 2017 reform. They criticize the use of information lacking in veracity to implement a ban. In this way, they will make it more difficult to decision from consumer to skip key information. That is why they remember that the 73% he wants the labeling to be in the same condition as meat and dairy. The number of those who value the greatest variety in supermarkets reaches the 90% according to his study.
«To want a vegetable burger to be called a disco is to put doors to the countryside. The language must be at the service of society and not the other way around, we must treat consumers as adults with criteria ", explains Bernat Añaños, co-founder of Ivy. It does not support the Orwellian concept that language is constructed from above. For her part, Cristina Rodrigo (director of the NGO ProVeg in Spain) blames the new regulation that "seeks to slow down the necessary food revolution."
One last paragraph
La amendment 171 also intends to put an end to comparisons in health. No more expressions such as "contains half the fat of dairy cream" or "lactose-free alternative to cow's milk." Consumers must always remain informed and be aware of changes in regulations. In this way, they will be able to choose responsibly whatever happens. Information is power. We will see how it ends up affecting all this war of the meat denominations.
