WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced the Real MEAT Act to end deceptive labeling practices for alternative protein products. The bill would clarify the definition of beef for labeling purposes, eliminate consumer confusion resulting from misbranding, and ensure that the federal government is able to enforce the law.
“Beef is derived from cattle—period. “It’s clear that fake-meat companies are continuing to mislead consumers about the nutritional merits and actual ingredient composition of their products.
The Real MEAT Act would codify the definitions of “beef” and “beef products.” It would further ensure that imitation meat products have the word “imitation” in the same size and prominence immediately before or after the name of the food and a statement clearly indicating that the product does not contain meat. Lastly, it would strengthen the government’s ability to enforce the law by requiring that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) submit notice within 60 days to the Secretary of Agriculture if a product is found to be mislabeled as beef. If HHS fails to do so, the Secretary of Agriculture would be allowed to treat the product as mislabeled.