Meat And Dairy Products Mislabeled As Vegan And Vegetarian At COP29

At COP29, controversy has arisen due to the mislabeling of meat and dairy products as vegan and vegetarian. Campaign group Plant Based Treaty posted a video showing various food items at the conference labeled incorrectly, such as a "vegan" bagel containing feta cheese and a "vegetarian" salad with salmon. General food options at COP were reported to be very meat-heavy, with minimal plant-based options and additional charges for plant-based milk. Activists have long been calling for COP to adopt a plant-based food system due to the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

Despite pressure from campaign groups in recent years, COP has not completely eliminated animal products from its menu. Last year saw an increase in vegan options, but this year, genuine vegan options appear to be even more limited. Plant Based Treaty and other organizations are urging world leaders at COP to commit to reducing meat and dairy consumption for the sake of global food security and climate resilience.