Trade

US cattle producers welcome Real Meat Act

Beef Central 29/10/2019

Image: NCBA

AMERICAN cattle producers have welcomed the introduction to the US House of Representatives of an Act they say will guarantee consumers can be sure that the meat products they are buying are real meat.

In a media statement issued overnight the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U. Reps. Roger Marshall (R – 1st Dist., Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D – 22nd Dist., N.Y.).

“A growing number of fake meat products are clearly trying to mislead consumers about what they’re trying to get them to buy,” said NCBA President and Tennessee cattlewoman Jennifer Houston.

“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.”

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 and 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.

“Consumers should be able to rely on the information on food labels they see on the shelves to be truthful and not deceptive,” Rep. 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,” Rep. 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.”

Click here to read the text of the Real MEAT Act.

Click here to read NCBA’s two-page summary of the bill.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 

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Comments

  1. David Lovelock, 02/11/2019

    Australian law states the “meat ” can only be sold if it is obtained from an animal slaughtered and processed for that product in a facility licensed for that purpose . My understanding is that ACCC is the appropriate body to enforce that law .

  2. Mitch DePerno, 31/10/2019

    The food industry is getting out of hand. Total transparency is a must….

  3. Doug Mazzola, 30/10/2019

    This is really an important issue for me. Of course not only with meats, but all “food” products. Thank you.

  4. Val Dyer, 29/10/2019

    Should Australia adopt this approach?

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