Plant-based products labeling: a matter of milk-sounding.
The United Kingdom’s Food Standards and Information Focus Group (FSIFG) is on the verge of introducing labeling rules for plant-based dairy products, which has sparked widespread debate. Described as “frankly offensive” by many, these new regulations aim to more clearly distinguish plant-based dairy products from those of animal origin. Despite the intention to prevent consumer confusion, many argue that the regulations are not only unnecessary but may also complicate access to essential products for those with allergies, intolerances, or simply seeking to make more sustainable choices.
These regulations could force well-known brands such as “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” and “Alpro’s This Is Not M*lk” to change their names. Some have labeled these changes “draconian”, but they aim to prevent the equating of plant-based products with traditional dairy products. However, they raise issues regarding the impact on prices and innovation.
The Plant-based Food Alliance UK (PbFA) is preparing to launch a desperate appeal to the environment secretary, asking him to abandon the proposed guidance and review regulations.
Are consumers confused?
Repeated surveys have shown that consumers are not confused by the concept of plant-based dairy products, raising questions about the need for some of the world’s strictest labeling claims for plant-based products. These proposals seem to ignore consumer intelligence and the growing demand for sustainable alternatives.
The presumption that terms like almond “milk” or vegetable “butter” could be significantly confusing underestimates consumers’ ability to make informed choices. Most consumers recognize the difference between traditional dairy products and their plant-based alternatives, often opting for the latter for ethical, environmental, or health reasons.
Impacts on Prices and Accessibility
Introducing these regulations will add bureaucratic burdens for producers, potentially resulting in higher retail prices. This would directly affect those who depend on plant-based alternatives, further complicating access to essential products at a time when the world is trying to promote sustainability and health.
In a climate crisis that calls for urgent change in our consumption patterns, the proposed new rules seem to run counter to encouraging more sustainable choices. By limiting producers’ ability to market their products effectively, they also reduce consumers’ ability to make environmentally conscious choices.
Industry perspective
The dairy alternatives industry, represented by entities such as the Plant-based Food Alliance UK, has expressed significant concerns. The feared impact on pricing, innovation, and affordability could not only hinder the growth of this expanding industry but also contradict widely shared environmental sustainability goals.
The FSIFG’s decision to proceed with these new regulations raises crucial questions about the balance between consumer protection and supporting freedom of choice and innovation in the food industry. As the world desperately seeks sustainable solutions, such restrictive policies appear not only counterproductive but also misaligned with modern consumers’ expectations. It is imperative that future policies take a more balanced and informed approach, recognizing consumers’ ability to navigate the plant-based food landscape without confusion.
