Farmers lash out at vegans for using words ‘sausage’ and ‘bacon’

Plant-based food producers should not be permitted to use meat-specific terms such as “sausage” or “bacon” to label their products, according to new comments from farming groups and selected experts. A YouGov tracker monitoring the dietary trends of Britons shows that around two percent of British consumers describe themselves as vegan, but a growing percentage call themselves “flexitarian”, or an occasional consumer of meat or fish in a predominantly vegetarian diet.But certain voices within the food and farming sectors have argued that meat alternatives should not be allowed to brand themselves using terms directly relating to meat products.Professor Joshua Bamfield, who heads up the Centre for Retail Research, said the UK ought to follow the French example in how it approaches meat substitute foods.France is in the process of implementing a law which stops plant-based products made in the country from using ‘sector-specific terminology traditionally associated with meat and fish’.Falling under the ban are words such as ‘steak’, ‘chicken’, and ‘sausage’. Around two percent of British consumers describe themselves as vegan (Image: Getty) The National Farmers’ Union said their members had ‘long called for’ more stringent guidelines (Image: Getty)Professor Bamfield told The Daily Mail: ‘There should be a new rule saying vegan products cannot be called sausages, steaks or bacon.’We ought to follow what the French are doing.’He described the use of meat-related terms to describe plant-based products as a ‘sales tactic’ that contradicts restrictions on labelling.He said: ‘This is not an argument against people eating vegan food.READ MORE: Carney savaged for ‘absolute tosh’ Brexit-interest rates rise link Around 70 percent of Britons class themselves as meat-eaters (Image: Getty)’But the idea [that] you can call a product whatever you like, irrespective of what’s inside, goes against labelling laws.’Research shows some vegan products are very refined.’Calling something a ‘veggie sausage’ is a sales tactic as the producer thinks it will sell more than if it’s called a ‘vegan stick.”The National Farmers’ Union said their members had ‘long called for’ more stringent guidelines on food labelling when it comes to plant-based products.DON’T MISS: Prince Harry and Andrew’s remembrance wreaths dumped from display [LIVE] Tories could get ‘clobbered’ at next election, says polling guru [REVEAL] POLL: What’s your favourite Celebrations chocolate? [VOTE] Meat-free alternatives have gained traction over the past few years (Image: Getty)A spokesperson said shoppers needed ‘clear, unambiguous labelling’ to make informed decisions about what they put in their basket.They added: ‘We would like to see labelling legislation revised to further protect traditional meat terms.’All food products have specific ingredients and their own nutritional properties.’This is why using the same term for products in different food categories should be avoided.’The Vegan Society hit back at the calls for new labelling, saying the ‘animal farming and meat industries are feeling threatened’ by increasing appetites for plant-based foods.They argued the use of meat-based terms to describe vegan alternatives helped consumers to understand how the product can slot into their diet.