New Survey Shows Plant-Based Chicken Needs A Better Label

Plant-based diets have seen a boom in recent years, per Animal Charity Evaluators, and vegetarians and vegans have more options than ever before. Between the Impossible Whopper at Burger King, sofritas at Chipotle, and an increasing number of plant-based options at restaurants, it isn't hard to find plant-based proteins if you are curious about a flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan diet — or even if you just want to give it at try!

When properly followed, a plant-based diet can have numerous health benefits, reports the Cleveland Clinic. They state that a plant-based diet can lower the risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and digestive issues.

Many grocery stores now carry a variety of plant-based protein products, and some even have specifically dedicated plant-based frozen sections. But with an increasing number of alternative proteins available on the market, those products may wind up mixed in with actual meat. Without clearly labeled packaging, consumers may become confused, and accidentally purchase a protein that does not fit their dietary restrictions.

A survey conducted by the National Chicken Council (NCC) revealed that most consumers preferred having a separate section for plant-based proteins, and clearer labels on packaging. They surveyed meat eaters, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans to acquire a wide range of opinions, though the results overwhelmingly showed support for separation.

Confusing labels could result in meat eaters accidentally purchasing plant-based meat alternatives, or vegetarians and vegans purchasing real chicken. In the NCC's letter to the FDA, they call for more regulations regarding clear labels, and separation of plant-based meats in order to cut out the confusion. A press release reports that one in five Americans have accidentally purchased a plant-based chicken alternative, believing it to be real chicken.

Clearly labeled packages will allow consumers to know exactly what they are purchasing and minimize the risk of accidentally bringing home the wrong protein. Although their dietary choices may differ, it seems that meat eaters and vegans can agree on one thing: it should be easier to know what we are buying.