Thailand Proposes Labeling Restrictions for Plant-Based Foods

Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced draft regulations that aim to impose new labeling restrictions on plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. These proposed rules seek to create clear distinctions between animal-based and plant-based products, reducing potential consumer confusion.

Under the new legislation, plant-based companies can continue to use terms that describe the product’s shape, such as “mince” and “bacon.” However, they must explicitly indicate that the products are plant-based. The use of the word “meat” and names of specific types or grades of meat, like “chicken” will be prohibited. Additionally, images of farm animals or any symbols suggesting the product is of animal origin will be banned.

For plant-based dairy, terms like “soy milk” and “almond milk” will remain permissible. However, descriptors that might blur the line between plant-based and dairy products, such as “skimmed” or “whole,” will not be allowed. Cheese alternatives will also face restrictions, with names like “mature,” “cheddar,” or “mozzarella” being disallowed, along with phrases such as “yogurt-style.”

This move comes amid a global trend of increasing regulations on the marketing of alternative proteins. These regulations often arise from lobbying by the meat and dairy industries, which see plant-based products as competition. For instance, in Spain, seafood organizations are pushing for similar labeling restrictions on plant-based seafood.

Internationally, there have been mixed responses to such regulations. France recently suspended a decree that banned meat-like terms for plant-based products following a legal challenge. In the UK, proposed restrictions on dairy alternatives have faced opposition, with calls for the government to reject terms like “not milk,” “cheeze,” and “alternative to milk.”

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