Search Articles

Showing 1-10 of 33

Dairy Farmers of Canada Launches Program to Reward Consumers for Purchasing Canadian Dairy

The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), an agriculture industry support group, has launched a program that rewards consumers for purchasing Canadian dairy products. Consumers who sign up for the program can receive access to special offers, contests, recipes and other materials. While DFC touts the program as a way to support local farmers and promote transparency, there are concerns about the program's influence on consumer choices and its potential to overshadow alternative, more ethical and sustainable options.

Florida Legislature Bans Sale and Manufacture of Cultivated Meat

The Florida Legislature has approved a bill banning the sale and manufacture of cultivated meat. The bill classifies the sale and manufacture of cultivated meat as a second-degree misdemeanor, with violators facing a possible $1,000 fine and potential licence suspension for businesses. The legislation aligns Florida with other states (like Arizona) considering similar bans and countries such as Italy which have implemented a ban.

Danish High Court Rules Against Pig Exporter in Greenwashing Case

Denmark's Western High Court has ruled against Danish Crown, Europe's largest pork exporter, in a groundbreaking case brought by the Vegetarian Society of Denmark and The Climate Movement. The court found Danish Crown culpable of deceiving consumers through its "Climate-Controlled Pigs" marketing campaign. It determined that the company's labeling, particularly the use of pink stickers asserting climate control, was misleading as it lacked independent validation, thus impeding consumers' ability to make informed decisions. The court argued that such labeling could significantly distort consumer behavior. However, objections regarding the claim that pork was "more climate-friendly than you think" were dismissed due to the statement's relative nature and the inherent challenge consumers face in evaluating pork's environmental impact.

French Government Bans "Steak" Label for Vegetarian Products

France's government passed a decree on February27, 2024, prohibiting the use of terms like "steak" and "ham" on vegetarian product labels, following industry complaints of consumer confusion. Exceptions allow some products with minimal plant content to retain meat-related names. Violations could incur fines of up to €1,500 for individuals and €7,500 for companies, although a one-year transition period is provided for existing stock. Producers from other European Union countries can still sell items using “meaty names” in France.

Mercy for Animals Accuses Burnbrae Farms of Lack of Transparency Regarding Chicken Welfare

Mercy For Animals (MFA) criticizes Burnbrae Farms, Canada’s largest family-owned and operated egg producer, for alleged lack of transparency regarding chicken welfare in its supply chain. The group also criticized Burnbrae’s “lack of transparency and continued investment in cages despite touting a commitment to animal welfare.” MFA highlights that, in 2022, Burnbrae reported nearly half its supply shifted to “alternative housing,” including “enriched” cages. The group argues “enriched” cages fail to meet consumer expectations for cage-free standards, likening them to conventional battery cages.

Arizona Introduces Bills to Ban Cultivated Meat and Regulate Meat Alternative Labeling

Two bills introduced in Arizona aim to ban cultivated meat and restrict labeling of meat alternatives. The first, Arizona House Bill 2121, introduced by Representative David Marshall, aims to outlaw the sale or production of cultivated animal products and allows affected businesses to sue producers for up to $100,000. The second, Arizona House Bill 2244, presented by Representative Quang Nguyen, seeks to restrict the representation and labeling of meat alternatives, preventing the “intentional misrepresentation” of products not derived from livestock. The bill covers laboratory-produced items from animal cells and synthetic products from plants, insects, or other sources. These legislative moves highlight ongoing debates surrounding the regulation and labeling of emerging cultivated and plant-based meat products.

Quebec Superior Court Rejects Rawesome Raw Vegan Inc.'s Challenge to Cheese Labeling Rules

The Quebec Superior Court dismissed a lawsuit by Rawesome Raw Vegan Inc., a vegan cheese company, seeking a declaration that vegan cheese products are not required to adhere to the standards of composition outlined for “cheese” in articles B.08.033 to B.08.054 of the federal Regulations Respecting Food and Drugs. This comes after Rawesome successfully appealed a 2021 conviction that found them guilty of violating food labeling laws by describing their cashew-based products as “cheese.” The Quebec Superior Court overturned the conviction, finding that the labeling laws only applied to dairy-based cheeses. The Attorney General of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency brought a motion to dismiss the case, citing no live legal question, as there was no current challenge by the government to Rawesome's ongoing use of the term “cheese.” The Court ultimately agreed, noting that Rawesome didn’t have sufficient interest in the matter. National animal law organization Animal Justice intervened in the case, arguing that banning vegan companies from using common words like “milk” and “cheese” is a violation of the Charter rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of expression.

Survey Reveals Canadian Public Supports Cage-Free Labels on Eggs

A recent survey by Bryant Research highlights Canadian consumers' strong desire for enhanced animal welfare and transparency in the food system, particularly concerning egg production. The study reveals that eighty percent of respondents were disappointed to discover that Canada's cage record is worse than the United States’, with seventy-two percent supporting a ban on caged confinement. 87 percent of respondents believe supermarkets should provide transparent information about egg sourcing, and seventy-nine percent urge grocery stores and restaurants to cease selling eggs from caged hens. The findings underscore a significant shift in consumer preferences, emphasizing the need for clearer communication through in-store signage.

AEL Advocacy Files False Advertising Complaint Against Chicken Farmers Canada

Animal Environmental Legal Advocacy (AEL Advocacy) has filed a false advertising complaint against Chicken Farmers Canada (CFC) over ads claiming that "Canadian farmers raise chickens with care to be healthy, wholesome and full of nutrition," a depiction challenged by AEL Advocacy as deceptive and misleading. In its complaint, AEL Advocacy argues that these claims are not supported by scientific evidence regarding the health risks associated with chicken consumption. They also argue that the CFC’s portrayal of chicken as a humane and ethical choice contradicts the reality of how Canadian chickens are raised and processed. The organization is calling on Ad Standards to withdraw the ads and hold the CFC accountable for its alleged misleading advertising practices.

France Reintroduces Bill to Ban Meat Names for Plant-Based Products

France has introduced revised proposals to prohibit the use of meat-related terms like “steak” and “spare ribs” for plant-based foods produced in the country. The first country in the European Union to attempt to impose such a restriction, a previous attempt to implement a similar measure in June of last year was halted by France's highest administrative court, citing vagueness and insufficient time for implementation. The revised draft decree identifies twenty-one meat-related names that cannot be applied to plant-based items, while approximately 120 terms like “cooked ham” and “sausage” remain permissible, provided they meet specific plant protein thresholds. The decree becomes effective three months after publication, allowing for an adjustment period.