Reps. Marshall and Brindisi introduce bill to codify definition of beef for labeling purposes.

October 28, 2019

3 Min Read
Tofurky plant based meat packaging.jpg

On Monday, in an attempt to uphold truthful labeling on alternative meat products, Rep. Roger Marshall (R., Kan.), along with Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D., N.Y.), introduced The Real Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully (MEAT) Act to address deceptive labeling practices in alternative protein products. The Real MEAT Act will codify the definition of beef for labeling purposes, reinforce existing misbranding provisions to eliminate consumer confusion and enhance enforcement measures available to the U.S. Department of Agriculture if the Food & Drug Administration fails to take appropriate action.

“Consumers should be able to rely on the information on food labels they see on the shelves to be truthful and not deceptive,” Dr. Marshall said. “For years now, alternative protein products have confused many consumers with misleading packaging and creative names for products. With this bill, consumers can be sure that the meat products they are buying are indeed real meat.”

“American families have a right to know what’s in their food,” Brindisi said. “Accurate labeling helps consumers make informed decisions and helps ensure families have access to a safe, abundant, affordable food supply. This bill is about safety and transparency and will make sure that meat-lovers and vegans alike have the transparency and honest labels that can allow customers to make their own decisions.”

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Specifically, The Real MEAT Act will:

1. Codify the definition of beef for labeling purposes:
• Establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels.
• Preserve the congressional Intent of the Beef Promotion & Research Act.

2. Reinforce existing misbranding provisions to eliminate consumer confusion:
• FDA has misbranding provisions for false or misleading labels.
• Prevent further consumer confusion with alternative protein products.
• Clarify the imitation nature of these alternative protein products.

3. Enhance the federal government’s ability to enforce the law:
• FDA will have to notify USDA if an imitation meat product is determined to be misbranded.
• If FDA fails to undertake enforcement within 30 days of notifying USDA, the secretary of agriculture is granted authority to seek enforcement action.

“A growing number of fake meat products are clearly trying to mislead consumers about what they’re trying to get them to buy,” said Jennifer Houston, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn. (NCBA) president and Tennessee cattle producer. “Consumers need to be protected from deceptive marketing practices, and cattle producers need to be able to compete on a fair, level playing field. We want to thank Congressmen Brindisi and Marshall for leading the way on this very important issue.”

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Kansas Livestock Assn. (KLA) chief executive officer Matt Teagarden said, “We appreciate Congressman Marshall stepping up in defense of KLA members and America’s consumers by introducing this bill aimed at greater labeling accountability for imitation meat products. This legislation will rein in false labeling and clarify for consumers what is real beef and what is fake.”

Livestock Marketing Assn. president Tom Frey added that his group “appreciates the efforts of Congress to ensure clear labeling to help consumers differentiate between imitation products and the wholesome real beef raised by hard-working farmers and ranchers."

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