According to FoodNavigator, a complaint filed in New York last month by Jasmine Brown
claims that the vegan brand Miyoko’s Kitchen has violated USDA standards
by misleading consumers into thinking that one of its products is made from
dairy because the package features the term “butter. No, we’re not kidding.
This is a real lawsuit. Ridiculous, we know.
claims that the vegan brand Miyoko’s Kitchen has violated USDA standards
by misleading consumers into thinking that one of its products is made from
dairy because the package features the term “butter. No, we’re not kidding.
This is a real lawsuit. Ridiculous, we know.
The plaintiff notes that Miyoko’s product
meets the standard for margarine but not butter, which the government requires
to have at least 80 percent milk fat. Brown said, “Consumers in America know
that butter … is made exclusively from milk or cream, or both.
meets the standard for margarine but not butter, which the government requires
to have at least 80 percent milk fat. Brown said, “Consumers in America know
that butter … is made exclusively from milk or cream, or both.
Thankfully, this ludicrous claim is going to
be difficult to prove in court, according to Miyoko Schinner. She says the vast
majority of consumers aren’t confused by plant-based products that use the
terms “milk, “cheese, and “yogurt, because they are nearly always
accompanied by additional wording making it clear that these products are not
derived from cow’s milk.
be difficult to prove in court, according to Miyoko Schinner. She says the vast
majority of consumers aren’t confused by plant-based products that use the
terms “milk, “cheese, and “yogurt, because they are nearly always
accompanied by additional wording making it clear that these products are not
derived from cow’s milk.
Schinner adds, “Our latest packaging says
‘cultured vegan butter made from plants,’ and clearly spells out that it’s
vegan and it’s made from plants.
‘cultured vegan butter made from plants,’ and clearly spells out that it’s
vegan and it’s made from plants.
When asked by FoodNavigator why she insisted
on using terms like “cheese and “butter on her packaging, Schinner said:
on using terms like “cheese and “butter on her packaging, Schinner said:
At some point you
have to decide whether you are going to hide behind the curtain or go out on
stand and say who you really are and what you are really trying to do, and we
made that decision. This is something that could potentially impact the entire
industry so we are being proactive. We really believe that the landscape of
dairy is changing rapidly and innovation is driving that change. We’re trying
to revolutionize how we make dairy products by making them from plants, and we
believe that is going to become the new norm.
For over a decade the dairy industry,
threatened by the plant-based market, has urged the Food and Drug
Administration to define these terms as exclusively from animals.
threatened by the plant-based market, has urged the Food and Drug
Administration to define these terms as exclusively from animals.
And the dairy industry is not alone. In 2015
the Association for Dressings and Sauces petitioned the FDA to take regulatory
action against eggless spread Just Mayo for misleading consumers, claiming that
mayonnaise is defined as containing eggs. In 2014
Unilever, maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and one of the association’s members,
sued Just Mayo’s parent company, Hampton Creek, on similar grounds. After
consumer backlash, Unilever dropped the suit.
the Association for Dressings and Sauces petitioned the FDA to take regulatory
action against eggless spread Just Mayo for misleading consumers, claiming that
mayonnaise is defined as containing eggs. In 2014
Unilever, maker of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and one of the association’s members,
sued Just Mayo’s parent company, Hampton Creek, on similar grounds. After
consumer backlash, Unilever dropped the suit.
What’s more, earlier this year a ridiculous law took effect in Missouri prohibiting
companies from using words like “meat unless their products come from
“harvested livestock or poultry. This means that plant-based meat producers
who use terms like “hot dog and “sausage will have to change their packaging
to sell in the state. Iconic vegan brand Tofurky joined forces with The Good Food Institute and
filed a lawsuit to challenge this.
companies from using words like “meat unless their products come from
“harvested livestock or poultry. This means that plant-based meat producers
who use terms like “hot dog and “sausage will have to change their packaging
to sell in the state. Iconic vegan brand Tofurky joined forces with The Good Food Institute and
filed a lawsuit to challenge this.
When the factory farming industry feels
threatened by the success of plant-based products, it’s quick to run to the
government for help. But this industry has been woefully unsuccessful in its
attempts to slow the growth of veganism.
threatened by the success of plant-based products, it’s quick to run to the
government for help. But this industry has been woefully unsuccessful in its
attempts to slow the growth of veganism.
You
can’t stop an idea whose time has come.
can’t stop an idea whose time has come.
According to a 2013 USDA report, consumption of
cow’s milk in the U.S. fell a whopping 40 percent from 1970, while U.S. sales of dairy-free
milk alternatives soared by 30 percent between 2011 and 2013. A recent
study commissioned by the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food
Institute revealed that the plant-based foods market had topped $3.1 billion in sales.
And GlobalData reported there were six times as many vegans in America in 2017 as in 2014.
cow’s milk in the U.S. fell a whopping 40 percent from 1970, while U.S. sales of dairy-free
milk alternatives soared by 30 percent between 2011 and 2013. A recent
study commissioned by the Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food
Institute revealed that the plant-based foods market had topped $3.1 billion in sales.
And GlobalData reported there were six times as many vegans in America in 2017 as in 2014.
More people enjoying vegan food is great news
for the billions of animals who suffer horribly at factory farms. Cows, pigs,
and chickens raised and killed for food are subjected to unimaginable
cruelties: small, filthy cages; painful mutilations; and violent, bloody
slaughter.
for the billions of animals who suffer horribly at factory farms. Cows, pigs,
and chickens raised and killed for food are subjected to unimaginable
cruelties: small, filthy cages; painful mutilations; and violent, bloody
slaughter.
Factory farmers are at a crossroads: Do they invest in the inevitable plant-based future?
Or do they continue ignoring the signs and go bankrupt?
Or do they continue ignoring the signs and go bankrupt?
Fortunately, with more
and more delicious plant-based products hitting the market, there’s truly never
been a better time to switch to a compassionate vegan lifestyle. Order your FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide today. And check
out our Pinterest page for thousands of recipe ideas!
