Discussion on how to label alternative dairy products
There was an interesting article about an interesting discussion in the UK about how alternative dairy products are labeled, which I would like to share with you.
In the UK, EU law from 1987 currently prohibits plant-based dairy substitute brands from using the term “dairy-like. However, with the U.K. leaving the EU after Brexit and the U.S. FDA releasing draft guidance approving the use of the term “milk” on packaging for plant-based dairy substitutes, the U.K. is now discussing whether to follow the U.S. lead. The UK is now discussing the possibility of following the US lead.
Unfortunately, the Food Standards Information Focus Group (FSIFG) in the UK is now lobbying to do the opposite, i.e., strengthen labeling laws. Proposed restrictions would ban phrases such as “alternative to milk” and terms such as “mylk” and “cheeze. The FSIFG’s argument seems to be that “misleading” use of terms such as “dairy-like” could lead to consumer confusion.
On the other hand, a new study commissioned by plant-based food manufacturer Upfield indicates that this is unlikely to be the case. The study found that the majority of consumers are well aware of the differences between dairy and plant-based products. For example, 91% of consumers were able to correctly identify that “Flora Plant B+tter Salted” is dairy-free.
Dominic Brisby, Upfield’s regional representative for Europe, said ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with consumers being confused. Consumers know exactly which products they are choosing from the supermarket shelves.”
The UK’s Plant-Based Food Alliance and Alternative Proteins Association (APA) have now sent a letter to the UK government expressing their concerns about the restrictions proposed in the letter, which was co-signed by 44 organizations. “According to an APA survey earlier this year, 96% of UK consumers are familiar with plant-based meat alternatives, and several studies have shown that the majority of consumers are not confused by the names of plant-based dairy and meat products. The majority of consumers are not confused by the names of plant-based dairy and meat products,” said Jeremy Coller, president of the APA.
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