Ranchers set to fight back against vegetarian 'fake meat'

[4now]

Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are combining plant-based ingredients and science, rather than animals, to create fake-meat burgers and other products that taste like the real thing.

Now U.S. Cattlemen's Association is looking to draw a line in the sand.

The association launched what could be the first salvo in a long battle against plant-based foods. Earlier this month, the association filed a 15-page petition with the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling for an official definition for the term "beef," and more broadly, "meat."

"While at this time alternative protein sources are not a direct threat to the beef industry, we do see improper labeling of these products as misleading," said Lia Biondo, the association's policy and outreach director. "Our goal is to head off the problem before it becomes a larger issue."

Not everyone sees it that way. Ethan Brown, founder and CEO of Beyond Meat, said consumers already know what they're looking for when they're browsing the grocery store aisles. But he doesn't necessarily see the petition as a bad thing.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/02/25/ranchers-set-fight-back-against-vegetarian-fake-meat/371378002/

I wish I had some fake meat right now. I even like the name.

[Renew Deal]

1. I've never had an issue with the labeling

But some of the fake meat is so good that it can be confusing. That's not a bad thing in this case. It speaks to the quality of the products.

[OnDoutside]

22. I just thought it odd that to invent new food, they would use old labels like Sausage or Burger.

[OhNo-Really]

2. meat substitutes have grown over 400% past year in Europe

[dweller]

3. I eat meat

Last edited Mon Feb 26, 2018, 03:02 AM - Edit history (2)

but kudos to the company that came up with the veggie burger infused with beet juice so it "bled" ... 😝

[Kablooie]

4. Oh god. Another right wing crusade.

Make vegetarianism illegal.

[mucifer]

5. Are people going to be angry that the yummy burger they ate was from plants and not animals?

I'm trying to picture people saying "there just isn't enough dead animal in this burger that tastes great!"

But, who knows. There are probably some people who are ethically against eating plants.

[Mariana]

15. I'm trying to figure out how they wouldn't know ahead of time

that they're about to eat a plant burger and not one made of meat. Is anyone, anywhere labeling plant based meat substitutes in such a way as to imply they're real meat?

[Crash2Parties]

6. (ponders the effect such labelling will have on the fast food industry)

[AJT]

7. I have no problem with clear labeling.

We'll have to see what that means.

[Hortensis]

8. Beef prices are "supposed" to continue to come down,

but we all know climate change is real, and there's no reason to think it will ever be affordably priced again. (For years I purchased short ribs for inexpensive meals, and skirt steak.) Also there will be plenty more drought years when ranchers are forced to slaughter their bearing females, etc., etc.

Our kids with current-level incomes can still afford to buy beef pretty much when they want, but with mostly fixed incomes we cannot. And there are a lot of us. And the huge environmental costs...

The beef producers are going to lose. Speed depending on how much help they get from government to suppress alternatives.

Btw, while I once laughed at the recommendation of a beef serving of about the size of a pack of cards, darned if that didn't turn out to be very satisfying and just as enjoyable, perhaps ultimately more so. What sophisticated diners knew but a pleasant surprise to both of us. No keeping eating to just finish long after every bite starts tasting like the same old thing. More setting the flavor off with the complementary flavors of the sides. Even not considering health and environmental issues, if beef prices plummeted we wouldn't go back to our old portion sizes.

[Thekaspervote]

9. Oh well.. what the ranchers dont seem to understand is when its labeled meat

Those that are looking to eat less meat, or no meat are going to run the other direction. Vegans will find meatless alternatives no matter what they do or don’t call it!

[safeinOhio]

10. Call it what you want.

Meat in my freezer right now is labeled Road Kill.

[callous taoboy]

11. I ate my first steak in over a year Saturday night, and here's what happened.

I bought an $11 grass-fed, organic prime rib steak. Looked and smelled fine when I took it out of the packaging. I broiled it until it was medium-well. Had it and a potato and some broccoli. It was really tasty. An hour later my stomach felt weird. I'll spare you the details, but I ended up running to the bathroom and evacuating (not vomiting) that meal. It was like a freight train running through me. I had had a vegetarian breakfast and lunch that day, so I don't think it was anything I ate prior to dinner.

Last night I had spaghetti and soy meatballs for dinner. I enjoyed it even more than I did the steak and had no ill effect whatsoever. I have greatly reduced red meat in my diet in the past couple of years, but sometimes I do miss the flavor.

[Phoenix61]

34. I quit eating beef and pork over 30 years ago

I went on vacation for a week and stayed with friends who were vegetarians so no meat at all. After I returned home every time I ate red meat I got sick. Chicken and seafood didn't bother me but what's the point of eating something that makes you sick. I avoid the soy based stuff like the plague. I lived on it for almost 25 years and am pretty convinced it contributed to me getting estrogen positive breast cancer. Like a lot of things, good in moderation.

[tavernier]

12. Can someone recommend a veggie meat substitute that tastes edible?

Seriously. I wouldn’t mind cutting down on meat, but I have never found any that aren’t just plain awful. I’d rather eat a salad or a dish of broccoli than pretend to enjoy something that is pretending to be a burger. I don’t think ranchers have to worry, if taste is the criteria.

[mucifer]

16. Have you tried the beyond meat burgers?

They are pricey. You can get them at TGIF and some other chain restaurants and more grocery stores have them

http://beyondmeat.com/store-locator



BTW the label looks pretty clear that it's not from an animal. My meat loving brother tried it and told me it tastes good and it does taste like a meat burger.

[ginnyinWI]

27. These are the best!

It's a treat for us when we get them. Ordinarily I make my own veggie burgers or buy the bean burgers or quinoa burgers at Costco. These cost about $3.00 a burger but worth it!

[crazycatlady]

37. I don't normally like quinoa

But Trader Joe's has a "Quinoa Cowboy" veggie burger that is delicious.

I would not compare it to a beef patty (I don't eat meat anymore) but I really like them.

[ginnyinWI]

40. Good to know.

We don't have a Trader's very close, but might run into one on our way to somewhere.

[crazycatlady]

41. If you have Aldi, they have a similar version

I believe Aldi and TJ's are owned by the same company.

[ginnyinWI]

42. Really? Good!

We do go to Aldi's now, but I haven't seen veggie burgers there yet. Will look.

[crazycatlady]

43. I threw away my box

But next time I'm there I'll take note of it. They're in the frozen foods section.

[Mr. Ected]

13. The threat is to their pocketbooks, and with good reason, too

Europe has seen a 451% increase in its meat substitute sales: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210227142

Last night, I had a barbecue bacon cheeseburger. The burger was Beyond Meat and the bacon strips were seitan. Absolutely delish, and I'm not exaggerating.

I've been a carnivore for 57 years, and I must admit, I'm not letting go 100%. But the writing's on the wall and my dietary requirements have changed with age. I'm relieved that this segment of the market has really picked up its act. It's the wave of the future.

[Phentex]

14. If it wasn't hurting their bottom line, I doubt they would care...

that's my takeaway too. My son is vegan and the sesame garlic tofurkey is delicious in a stir fry. The products aren't that easy to find though. It seems they vary from store to store and often I can never find the same thing twice.

[mucifer]

17. But, 30 years ago the only thing you could find in a regular grocery store was tofu.

It's amazing how far we have come.

[Javaman]

18. why does this reek of nra branding and tactics?

I eat meat but I get mine from local farmers.

it's more expensive but I know where it comes from and how the animals are treated and fed.

[KG]

19. I've tried fake meat. ick.

besides, what's the point.

[LanternWaste]

21. I'm not surprised you're unable to grasp the obvious

"besides, what's the point..."

I'm not surprised you're unable to grasp the obvious immediately after trivializing it.

[KG]

24. LOL

I'm not surprised I laughed out loud.

[Bonx]

28. Ever heard of Alpha-gal allergy?

An increasing number of people have it, and can't eat mammalian meat.
That's one point.
And the Beyond Burgers are really good.

[ginnyinWI]

29. there are more than one kind of fake meats

Some are good, some are great, some are awful.

All are healthier than eating meat. But people can be vegetarian without coming near any fake meats. It's just that Americans are so used to meat that it helps some people give it up. You don't need it for good nutrition.

[MLAA]

31. There are 3 major points I am aware of

1. Save the planet (livestock uses far more resources and creates methane)
2. Improved health (reduce/eliminate type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, some forms of cancer)
3. Ethical concerns for how animals are treated and killed

[crazycatlady]

38. THe last few times I ate meat, I was violently ill afterwards

As in 24 hours of coming out both ends. My body told me to give up meat.

[MoonRiver]

20. I hate the word meat, and wouldn't mind at all if it doesn't appear on my veggie burger pkgs.

However, I can't remember ever seeing it on a package, so wtf?

[Adrahil]

23. I'm 100% with fake meat that tastes like the real thing.

I've yet to encounter any.

[Wounded Bear]

25. AFAIK, these things have been labeled properly so far...

I suspect the only place with a real problem might be the restaurant/fast food industries, who might be tempted to use cheaper alternatives in their menus without notifying patrons. I don't eat out a lot, so I don't have a dog directly in that fight. I'm no vegetarian, and I do like meat and meat products in relative moderation. As for "fake" meat, if it meets the taste and nutrition requirements, I probably wouldn't care.

The current administration has been a bit unsupportive of proper labeling laws, so that could be a concern. Their are religious restrictions on diet, and while I don't understand why most of the time, one does have to respect individual beliefs in such matters.

Frankly, I'm not all that supportive of "ranchers" who might have more in common with the Bundy's than with me. Many of them have been getting away with abuses of the public lands for quite some time. As one who has cut down quite a bit on meat consumption, I don't have a personal aversion to reducing the environmental impact of the ranching industry. If an artificial means to do that emerges, we kind of have to explore it.

[RKP5637]

26. I've had this before and it's excellent!!! n/t

[PatSeg]

30. This could have unintended consequences

Sounds like great free advertising for vegetarian meat products.

[HopeAgain]

32. Ohh, the harm to the public if they accidentally don't eat meat!

How terrifying!

[lunasun]

33. Maybe not in US but the world is moving towards alternatives so cattlemen assoc. know it is

only time and the increase is coming here eventually . Being powerful they will do what they can to stop it . As the article implies more to come from them in the battle for consumer $$ no doubt

[Ferrets are Cool]

35. FU and your line USCA. nm

[Farmer-Rick]

36. As long as the protein is high and the carbs are low, I'm all for it

But I'm never going to give up my own homegrown lamb and chicken.

But I also grow black soy beans which can make a decent substitute for meat.

[NCTraveler]

39. Ranchers, be flattered.

Even vegetarians know how good your product looks.