U.S. lawmakers tuck into juicy debate over meat substitutes

Across the U.S., tens of legislative bills have been introduced, some unsuccessfully, as an out-of-sight battle heats up between friends and foes of plant-based meat. One key issue at stake is making it illegal for meat-substitute products to be labeled as meat.

SEBASTIEN MALO: ‘Across the United States, tens of legislative bills have been introduced – some unsuccessfully – as well as half a dozen with opposing aims, as an out-of-sight battle heats up between friends and foes of plant-based meat. One key issue at stake is making it illegal for meat-substitute products to be labeled as meat… In contrast, legislative bodies in states with enthusiastic backers of vegan diets – green groups, animal rights activists and health campaigners – have pushed bills encouraging plant-based food, first in California, followed by Washington D.C., New York and Oregon.

Rearing animals is a major driver of climate change – accounting for nearly 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions – while producing meat uses land and water less efficiently than growing crops, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says. Increasingly, many environmentalists are placing their hopes in greener alternatives for carnivores, including lab-grown meat… Led by plant-based foods, which mimic the taste, texture and look of meat, the U.S. alt-meat market is forecast to nearly double to $2.5 billion by 2023, according to market research firm Euromonitor International. Lab-grown meat is not yet being sold’. SOURCE…

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