SIA calls for clarity in vegan meat-substitute labelling
We respect people’s rights to make choices about what they eat.
Our concern is the potential for consumers to be misled by packaging and labelling that closely resembles other established products in the market.
This concern is heightened for products that contain allergens, such as soy proteins.
The recent case of the Aldi “Dairy Fine” and “Dairy Free” Easter products is an example of how labels can be misread with serious health consequences. https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/food-warnings/calls-for-aldi-to-fix-misleading-product/news-story/943c43eea86fee174c8ba5855bbc7773
There are laws in place to protect individuals and businesses from false or misleading claims. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) provides guidance on resolving such claims. https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/misleading-claims-advertising/false-or-misleading-claims
Truth in labelling is a key issue for the Australian seafood industry, one that SIA continues to advocate for. Vegan Australia has also called for more honesty and transparency on substitute food products.
