US beef industry wants to ban the word meat on lab-grown products
US Cattlemen Association is taking another step in the battle against lab-grown substitutes of beef and is going in the land of linguistics. The representatives of the association have filed a 15-page petition with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in which they request a clear definition of the word meat so it can only be used to label animal products, informs CNBC.
"While at this time alternative protein sources are not a direct threat to the beef industry, we do see improper labelling of these products as misleading. Our goal is to head off the problem before it becomes a larger issue.", " said Lia Biondo, the association's policy and outreach director.
The Association is arguing that consumers are being confused and misled when they’re sold burgers and other meat products that contain alternative protein. Meantime, big companies like Tyson and Cargill have invested already in startups that promise to bring lab-grown meat to the consumer's table in the next few years.
On the other hand, lawyers representing the lab-grown meat industry don't give a chance to this argument if it is to go to court. "I certainly think that with this petition, the cattlemen are asking the USDA to set itself up to lose in court. I think their proposal would violate the First Amendment if the USDA adopted it. The government only has the authority to regulate free speech, like telling plant-based and clean-meat companies how to label their products, if it's necessary to ensure consumers aren't misled", said Jessica Almy, a lawyer with the Good Food Institute.
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