The UK is proposing to introduce a ban on dairy descriptor names for plant-based products. The proposal was not subject to public consultation, nor was the plant-based industry association referred to. A number of MPs and ProVeg, the international food awareness organisation, are against the laws.
“I do not think that anyone buying a hot dog actually thinks that it has canine content. Does the Minister think that the British public is so stupid to think that a product called oat milk comes from a cow?” MP Kerry McCarthy asked Dr Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for Defra, in the House of Commons on January 12th.
“My advice is not to believe everything that we read in the papers,” replied Coffey.
ProVeg believes the new rules would hurt consumers and damage sensible signposting that enables consumers to choose healthy and environmentally friendly plant-based options as part of their diet.
“MP Kerry McCarthy is right. This is not about consumer confusion at all. Clearly, everyone knows that oat milk comes from oats. We all know that it's a front to sensor, restrict and financially damage the plant-based sector, which the dairy industry sees as a major threat. No plant-based business has been consulted on the proposal either, so the process so far has been entirely undemocratic. It’s time now for Defra to properly consult on what is a wholly unnecessary proposal,” explained Jimmy Pierson, Director of ProVeg UK.
