USCA Asking For USDA To Crack Down On ‘Fake Meat’

The U.S Cattlemen’s Association has asked the USDA to crack down on how the term meat or beef are used.  Fourth generation Montana rancher Maggie Nutter told the Washington Ag Network several companies are marketing products that are generated in the lab as meat or beef.  She said when companies use terms like meat crumbles or beef crumbles, it’s an effort to confuse consumers.

“They’re not derived from livestock and it’s really misleading and inaccurate.  There’s nutritional differences, there are ingredient differences.  The nutrition debate gets really complicated.  What’s important is there’s enough complete protein without too many calories, too much bulk, you need to get that protein in a dense nutritious form.”

Nutter pointed out consumers can’t get those nutrients or health benefits away from livestock.  She added they are only asking for the USDA to be consistent with its high naming requirements.

“Even on hamburger or ground beef, we can’t even use organ meat in that meat if it’s going to be called ground beef.   And ground chuck has to come from the chuck, so it’s really tight on beef too.”

Nutter said these fake meat products are also benefiting from the advertising dollars spent by the beef industry.  She added it’s important for cattle producers across the Northwest to contact the USDA, law makers and to get involved to protect their product name.

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