MeatAfora’s Post

The Freedom Food Alliance has just dropped an in-depth analysis of misinformation in the global food industry, driven by Big Meat and Dairy. The report, titled "Harvesting Denial, Distractions, & Deception: Revealing Animal Agriculture’s Disinformation Strategies and Exploring Solutions," exposes the disparity between animal agriculture industry claims and actual practices. It dissects campaigns that use buzzwords like 'sustainably sourced beef,' 'regenerative grazing,' and 'respect for the welfare of animals' to mislead consumers into believing the meat and dairy industry is more ethical and environmentally friendly than it actually is. Extensive research looks at the industry's employment of AI-driven social media manipulation, strategic use of 'corporate science,' and financial support for research promoting misleading narratives. CEO of The Freedom Food Alliance, Robbie Lockie🚦says, “Without decisive and collective action, we stand on precarious ground, especially as we navigate the controversies surrounding alternative proteins. Disinformation campaigns could seize on consumer fears, further muddying the waters. Yet, our report also sees a silver lining—an informed public and stronger regulatory frameworks could significantly dampen the impact of these campaigns, fostering a more transparent dialogue around our food choices and their impact on the world.” This report is incredibly well-researched, thorough, and insightful. Fantastic work to all involved! 🚀 #foodforthought #transparency #plantbased

🚫 Alabama's Senate passed a bill which bans the sale, manufacture, and distribution of cultivated meat The bill, sponsored by Senator Jack Williams, passed with 32 votes in favour and none against. Williams argues against the need for cultivated meat in Alabama, citing the state's ample food supply and raising safety concerns. However, cultivated meat has been deemed safe by the USDA and FDA. The bill's opposition argues it stifles innovation, limits consumer choice, and undermines efforts to meet growing global meat demand sustainably. The legislation has sparked controversy over its impact on biotech innovation, consumer freedom, and Alabama's role in future food security. Critics point out the irony of concerns over food safety and alterations given the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock, which poses significant public health risks. ✉️ Hungry for more updates on biotech shaping the future of food? Devour the free subscription: betterbioeconomy.com

AU REVOIR 💪🏼 Misteaks were made: earlier this year, France decided to ban terms such as 'butcher' and 'sausage' for plant-based meat products. Now we're gladly saying ‘au revoir’ to the decree! According to the European Court of Justice, meat names are not legally established and cán be used for plant-based products, unless a country has officially designated a specific legal name for such products. The decree was a response to a request from the animal agriculture industry to stop using meat-related names for plant-based foods. The argument: such labels could “mislead and confuse consumers.”   At The Vegetarian Butcher we believe that using 'meaty' product names for plant-based alternatives helps people choose options they know and love, just without the animal.   So, s'il vous plaît, let’s accelerate the transition towards more plant-based food instead of slowing it down!   Read more: https://lnkd.in/ePSGbdRh #thevegetarianbutcher #schnitzelgate #meat #sacrificenothing

📣 It is not that often that you are lucky enough to be part of writing history. In this case history of #novelfoods, #cultivatedfood created by cutting edge #food #biomanufacturing technology made in #Europe. I am proud to share that GOURMEY, a member of Cellular Agriculture Europe, is the first company to request novel food approval for cultivated foods in the European Union. Gourmey has requested market approval for the flagship cultivated duck product which sets to offer a new choice for foie gras enthousiasts, chefs and restaurants worldwide. The EU’s Novel Foods law is the toughest in the world and the gold standard for food safety. 🌍 And: Gourmey has also requested approval for market access in four other markets around the globe: Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Gourmey's CEO and co-founder Nicolas Morin-Forest spoke in an exclusive POLITICO Europe interview with Alessandro Ford about what comes next for Gourmey. We urgently need a science-based dialogue on #novelfoods, such as #cultivatedfoods. The technology behind cultivated foods was invented in Europe. It is in fact a #climate technology, able to complement the existing food system and make it more resilient. Margrethe Vestager said in spring 2024 "What is born here should also have the opportunity to grow here," when she announced the European Commission Communication "Building the Future with Nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU". As Europe looks to boost #foodsecurity and reduce dependence on low quality and environmentally harmful food imports, cultivated foods can complement existing #agrifood value chains as a powerful tool for long term resilience.  And this also brings us one step closer to creating new revenue opportunities for European #farmers to grow the feedstock needed for this #strategictechnology made in #Europe. More than merely coexisting, innovation and conventional farming can support each other in creating a future proof food system and can even help to make farming more attractive for the next generation. 🙌 Congratulations to the amazing team that made this possible! What an achievement and what a milestone. 👏 Congratulations to Hannah Lester Brian Chun Nadine Bongaerts-Duportet, Ph.D. Nicolas Morin-Forest Victor SAYOUS and the whole Gourmey team. 🚀 #proteindiversification #bioact #cleanindustries #criticaltechnology #foodsecurity #foodsecurity https://lnkd.in/ee9PYRwq

Very impressed with Green Queen's The Complete Ultra-Processed Foods and Plant-Based Meat FAQ Guide: Everything You Need To Know. The FAQ format is easy to read, and the guide presents a nuanced perspective. For example, here's what they say about Michael Pollan's view: "Michael Pollan popularised the axiom, ‘Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognise as food,’ in his book, In Defense of Food. This phrase serves as a useful guide for consumers, yet it doesn’t account for the transformation of our food systems since the days of our great-grandparents. Surprisingly, during a 2018 interview, Pollan praised Impossible Foods, labelling it an 'excellent product.' This endorsement was unexpected, given his long-standing advocacy for whole foods and criticism of processed products, referring to them as 'edible, food-like substances.' But Pollan’s openness to Impossible suggests a more nuanced view. In the article, he reflected on the broader issues tied to global industrial animal farming, including disease, environmental harm, and antibiotic resistance. Pollan ultimately states: 'By my definition, it’s not food. But that’s not to say I’m opposed to it." #GreenQueen #AlternativeProtein #processedfood

Do you agree with me that the future of lab-grown meat is facing uncertainty? Despite its potential for revolutionizing food production with benefits like reducing environmental impact and improving animal welfare, the industry is grappling with significant challenges. 🥩🔬 As the lab-grown meat sector strives to scale up, it must navigate these obstacles effectively to become a viable alternative in the mainstream market. What do you think are the crucial steps for the success of lab-grown meat? How can this industry overcome its current challenges?#FutureOfFood #LabGrownMeat #FoodTech #SustainableEating #FoodTrends https://lnkd.in/gyJvfgMz

Some good news in Germany 🇩🇪 and Austria 🇦🇹 where a resounding two thirds of people surveyed are in favour of cultivated meat being produced and sold in their countries, if regulators give it the a-ok. ✅ Our bet? That number goes way up when it comes to cultivated meat for pet food. 🐶 Also kind of interesting: about half of the respondents were interested in cutting down their animal product consumption and were in favour of animal product alternatives. 🍳 Here are the survey results from our good friends at Good Food Institute Europe 👉 https://lnkd.in/dd-VQ4Ba #cultivatedmeat #alternativeprotein #futureoffood

❌🥩 Another US state takes a step back, banning the sale of cultivated meat. The Alabama Senate recently approved Senate Bill 23, which prohibits the sale of lab-grown meat, categorizing its manufacturing, sale, or distribution as a Class C felony. Spearheaded by Senator Jack Williams, the bill received unanimous support in the Senate and is now headed to the House for further review. This move follows the FDA's approval of cultivated chicken sales in the US, a significant development for leading lab-grown meat companies UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat, which have since focused on enhancing production efficiency after initial consumer trials. Senator Williams expressed concerns about artificial food sources, stating, "Anything that is artificial and not to do with our animals comes up on my radar. I don’t want Alabamians eating that." He emphasized the state's abundant food resources, including cattle and chicken, arguing against the need for lab-grown alternatives. However, global reports indicate a food crisis affecting over 250 million people and highlight the environmental benefits of meat alternatives in reducing the impact of animal agriculture on climate change and biodiversity loss. Under the new legislation, violations would result in Class C misdemeanors, potentially leading to fines, jail time, and food safety permit revocation for establishments selling or distributing lab-grown meat. The Department of Agriculture and Industries, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, will enforce these rules. This legislative action mirrors similar efforts in other states like Florida and Arizona to restrict or ban lab-grown meat sales and production. With SB23 passing the Senate unanimously, its fate now rests with the House. Senator Williams emphasized the unfamiliarity and potential risks associated with lab-grown meats, stating, "This is all made from nothing, cells. You don’t know what you’re getting. You don’t know what it’s going to do to you later." Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e-xU3tED #ForwardFooding #cultivatedmeat #foodtech #innovation #sustainability #foodsystems

Do you agree that the future of lab-grown meat is facing uncertainty? Despite its potential for revolutionizing food production with benefits like reducing environmental impact and improving animal welfare, the industry is grappling with significant challenges. 🥩🔬 As the lab-grown meat sector strives to scale up, it must navigate these obstacles effectively to become a viable alternative in the mainstream market. What do you think are the crucial steps for the success of lab-grown meat? How can this industry overcome its current challenges?#FutureOfFood #LabGrownMeat #FoodTech #SustainableEating #FoodTrends https://lnkd.in/gtJ-3RvZ

👩🎓 #CultivatingKnowledge Friday: this week we read this thought-provoking piece from Vox on "the political beef over cell-cultivated meat" by Kenny Torrella. 🥩 Climate change, diseases like swine fever and consolidation in the industrial farming industry are accelerating food insecurity. However, growing global demand for meat shows no signs of stopping. 👨🌾 🌎 We need innovative solutions to make delicious #meatalternatives like #cultivatedmeat and #cultivatedfat. The cultivated industry still has a long journey to reach commercial scale, so government backing to continue investing in this space is crucial to its success. What do you think? 🤔 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/edd2dmnJ