Comments on: What’s In a (Food) Name?

By: Elle Dee

Elle Dee — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:19:23 +0000

I am an actual vegan and I honestly understand and agree with the point of view that vegan products should be named in such a way that there is no chance of confusing the consumer. Call vegan “eggs” a “vegan scramble,” call vegan “chicken” something like “plant-based patties.” Vegans know what it is and it won’t confuse non-vegans. There is legitimate concern with food allergies. For example, if someone thinks they are buying dairy butter, which would only have cream and maybe salt as an ingredient, but they accidentally buy a coconut oil-based or nut-based product, there could be an issue.
Plus, my worst nightmare is that a meat producer will make a version of some typically vegan product and essentially do the same thing as revenge! For example, what if they made something called “chicken tofu” and it was actual chicken made to look like tofu? “Soy-free tofu”? Or “bacon tempeh” as bacon chopped up and pressed together to look like tempeh? It sounds ridiculous of course, but is it really all that different?

By: Malik Agro Industries Africa

Malik Agro Industries Africa — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 13:17:58 +0000

Very informative article about food and agirculture.

By: edward an

edward an — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 05:20:46 +0000

hey good one

By: Malik Agro Industries

Malik Agro Industries — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 15:52:50 +0000

Amazing and detail article about food.

By: Chris123

Chris123 — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 19:29:58 +0000

My wife (for whom English is a second language), purchased something labeled “Plant-based Chick’n Nuggets” that were made from chickpeas or something, thinking they were actual Chicken nuggets. They were not, and they were terrible.
I agree with Gordon on the “Butter” question – There is already a term for “Plant-based” Butter – Margarine.
In my opinion, these products should be labeled as what they are – “imitation” products.

By: Timothy Coble

Timothy Coble — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 19:17:17 +0000

I am on the side of France’s thinking on this one. The vegan marketers are seducing and sometimes confusing people with words that have prior meaning and a host of emotional attachments and memories. I see it as less than honest, less than brave, less than creative. I would encourage everyone who cares about the planet, good health and healthy societies to read carefully the labels on industrial vegan products. The carbon footprint of a product made from ingredients from three or four continents and sent through energy hungry industrial production should not be overlooked. Not to mention the lack of human-to-earth relationship it promotes. Grow, buy, eat fruits, nuts and vegetables from as close to home as possible. If you give up cheese, give it up for real. Eat real food.

By: gordon

gordon — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:46:47 +0000

As a retailer, I would say anecdotally that confusion is increasing with the number of customers who have told me they have bought “plant-based” products accidentally. Also, there is a traditional word for vegan butter: margarine. It’s interesting that is not the word vegan producers are choosing to reclaim.