The Rolling Stones, one of the wealthiest rock bands of all time, are notoriously protective of their songwriting royalties and their iconic tongue-and-lips logo. They have even taken legal action against tribute bands for mimicking their image. Similarly, the dairy industry is seeking stricter guidelines on the labelling of plant-based alternatives to dairy products.
Greenpeace has expressed concerns that the proposed regulations could lead to relabelling of common products, such as vegan cheese. The UK could become one of the most “draconian” nations in regards to product labelling, warns Marisa Heath, CEO of the Plant Based Food Alliance UK.
Despite the dairy industry’s claim that dairy products are a unique, essential part of a healthy and balanced diet, there is evidence to the contrary. Average protein intake in the UK is already above the Reference Nutrient Intake, including in vegetarians and vegans. Furthermore, plant-based products have been shown to provide health benefits comparable to traditional dairy products.
According to Greenpeace, the plant-based food sector is not growing at the rate supporters desire. Plant-based cheese sales in the UK fell 12% in 2022, and plant-based yoghurt sales decreased in value and unit sales between 2020 and 2022. However, plant-based milk sales increased by 24% between 2020 and 2022 and now account for 7% of the market.
Despite these figures, it could be argued that dairy alternatives are a niche market and do not pose a significant threat to the dairy industry. Indeed, many consumers purchase both traditional dairy and plant-based alternatives.
In conclusion, it is important to ensure accurate and informative product labelling. However, overly restrictive guidelines could harm innovation and business growth in the plant-based food sector. Ultimately, consumers are well-informed and should be trusted to make their own choices in the marketplace.
