Modern Milkman

© Modern Milkman

Politics & Law

UK Government Urged to Reject Alt Dairy Labelling Restrictions as Survey Says Consumers Aren’t Confused

After the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released draft guidance confirming that plant-based dairy alternatives can use the word “milk” on their packaging, the UK government has been urged to do the same. Plant-based brands are currently banned from using dairy-like terms in the UK due to an EU law from 1987. But following Brexit, the UK government could choose to remove the labelling restrictions. Unfortunately, the country’s Food Standards and Information Focus Group (FSIFG) is currently attempting to do the opposite, lobbying for labelling laws to be tightened. The proposed restrictions would ban phrases such as “alternative to milk”, along with terms like “mylk” and “cheeze”. While many have protested that the ban would serve no useful purpose — including Member of Parliament …

more

Plant-based meats

© Herblabism

Company News

Herblabism Becomes Member of Plant-Based Food Alliance UK

British alt meat startup Herblabism announces it is joining the Plant-based Food Alliance UK (PFA UK) as a full member.  Herblabism is a B2B meat-free company that supplies its products to major sporting, entertainment, and conference venues. As reported by vegconomist, the startup recently signed a deal with Levy UK+I, a caterer for sports stadiums such as Wembley, Aston Villa, and Chelsea F.C., as well as entertainment venues including the O2 Arena. At the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Levy UK+I served Herblabism’s mushroom burgers and plant-based sausages. The startup says it plans to launch its products on its website for consumers to buy DTC. Marisa Heath, CEO of Plant-based Food Alliance UK, commented on the announcement: “The Alliance is so delighted to welcome Herblabism as …

more

Liz_Truss

gov.uk

Sustainability / Environment

New PM Liz Truss Urged to Prioritise Meat Reduction to “Avoid the Prospect of Eco-System Collapse”

The Plant-Based Food Alliance UK (PBFA) has implored Liz Truss, the new UK Prime Minister, to update the government’s food strategy to address the current global climate and food crises.  According to the Alliance, the food strategy’s white paper that was made public last June was a missed opportunity that did not even consider the government’s own climate advisors’ recommendations on the inclusion of meat reduction targets of 30% by 2030. The organisation urges the government to rewrite its food strategy and include time-bound targets for reducing meat and dairy consumption to make it fit in a century in which climate resilience and food security must become a priority. “Setting targets for meat reduction is no longer a radical measure. Institutions from the UN to …

more

Climate Change Sign No Planet B

© ink drop - stock.adobe.com

Sustainability / Environment

Plant-Based Food Alliance Implores UK to Fight Climate Change by Cutting Out Animal Products

The Plant-Based Food Alliance UK has called on the country’s government and citizens to tackle climate change by reducing the number of animal products consumed. In the wake of record-breaking heatwaves, the organisation has pointed to research by Oxford University which found that individuals’ carbon footprints could be reduced by 73% by switching to a plant-based diet. Furthermore, CEO Marisa Heath says the UK government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050 cannot possibly be met without a reduction in meat consumption. In light of this, the Plant-Based Food Alliance has called on the government to take specific actions to encourage the consumption of plant-based foods. These include environmental labelling of food and drink products, public health campaigns explaining how people can incorporate more plant-based …

more

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson Portrait

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson, image: Ben Shread / Cabinet Office

Politics & Law

“A Missed Opportunity”: Alt Protein Leaders Respond to UK Government Food Strategy Published Today

The UK Government Food Strategy was published today, highlighting how sustainable and alternative proteins can play a major role in British food production. However, the report falls short and has been labelled as a disappointment to the UK and to the planet. Here follows commentary on the whitepaper from leaders and experts from within alt protein: Russ Tucker, Co-Founder of UK’s first cultivated meat company Ivy Farm; Morten Toft Bech, founder of Meatless Farm; Elena Walden, Policy Manager at the Good Food Institute Europe; and Marisa Heath, Chief Executive of the Plant-based Food Alliance UK. Russ Tucker, Co-Founder of Ivy Farm “With no commitment given on the future of cultivated meat in the UK, the Government’s Food Strategy White Paper has missed a key opportunity …

more

Marisa Heath - PBFA UK

CEO Marisa Heath ©Plant Based Food Alliance UK

Business Insiders

Marisa Heath, CEO of Plant-based Food Alliance UK

The Plant-based Food Alliance UK was created to act as a voice for Britain’s growing plant-based food and drink sector. Founded by Oatly, Alpro, The Vegan Society, Upfield and ProVeg UK, we are a coalition of civil society groups and businesses with a collective aim of making the UK a global leader in plant-based food and drink. Food systems account for one-third of greenhouse gas emissions globally and plant-based foods are a hugely impactful way of ensuring our food choices are sustainable in the future. “A shift towards plant-based will be vital in achieving the Government’s net zero target by 2050” A shift towards plant-based will be vital in achieving the Government’s net zero target by 2050. We are seeing people introducing more plant-based meals …

more