Meat-like terms not permitted in S. Africa

Phrases such as ‘plant-based meatballs’ and ‘vegan nuggets’ are not permitted because the products do not meet the definition of “processed meat” under the country’s Regulation No.R.1283, says the department.

In a letter addressed to ‘All processors, importers and retailers of meat analogues’, the department instructs that meat analogues “must not use the product names prescribed and reserved for processed meat products”.

The letter also instructs the assignee designated for the inspection of processed meat products, the Food Safety Agency, to “seize any meat analogue products using the product names prescribed for processed meat products”.

The names of plant-based meat alternative products cited in the document also include vegan BBQ ribs, plant-based bratwurst, and plant-based chicken-style strips.

Egg alternatives also under scrutiny

Meanwhile, it was also reported that another letter was sent to supermarket chain, Woolworths, instructing the retailer that the plant-based egg substitute Just Egg could not be sold as “eggs” as it does not hail from domestic fowl, reports Biz Community.

Food awareness organisation, ProVeg South Africa, notes that, together with over 50 stakeholders “are working tirelessly to combat this and will be launching a petition soon”.