UK Government Under Fire For ‘Undemocratic’ Vegan Dairy Labeling Ban

The UK government is facing criticism for potential labeling restrictions on plant-based dairy alternatives, which would prevent companies from using terms like "milk alternative." 44 vegan brands and NGOs, including Alpro, Oatly, and Quorn, have signed an open letter urging the government to reconsider this ban, citing its negative impact on environmental and national food strategies. The Plant-Based Food Alliance CEO emphasized the need for a new labeling system that recognizes advances in food technology and consumer awareness, hoping that the UK could lead the way in promoting innovation in plant-based products.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that local Trading Standards officers are drafting an opinion document on enforcing existing rules that reserve specific dairy terms for milk and milk products. This move has been criticized as undemocratic by organizations like ProVeg UK, who believe it is an attempt to censor and financially harm the plant-based sector. Similar attempts to restrict plant-based vocabulary have been made in the past, with mixed success, such as the European Commission's unsuccessful attempt to ban dairy terms on vegan food labels in 2021.