Say NO to FDA’s Misguided Labeling Rules for Plant-Based Food Alternatives

In January 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued “Draft Guidance” to producers of plant-based alternatives to eggs, seafood, poultry, meat, and non-liquid dairy. In their proposal, the FDA is taking the unsubstantiated position — also put forward by the animal agriculture industries — that consumers want and need plant-based producers to list all the “primary plant ingredients” of their products in the product name. For instance, instead of “veggie burger,” the name would now be something like “wheat, pea, and soy plant-based burger.”  
 
If adopted, these labeling requirements would cause consumer confusion and in doing so, decrease the popularity of plant-based foods. This is another attempt by the animal agriculture industries to pressure the FDA into adopting ridiculous regulation that unfairly targets plant-based foods in favor of protecting their own profits.  

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is submitting comments on “Labeling of Plant-Based Alternatives to Animal-Derived Foods: Draft Guidance for Industry; Draft Guidance” and we encourage you to tell the FDA — in your own words — why you oppose these unnecessary and burdensome requirements targeting plant-based products! 

Comments can be brief and will be most effective when you politely share your personal reasons for wanting a clear label on foods disclosing when they contain animal ingredients.

Here are some simple instructions:

• Go to Regulations.gov
• Click the grey box on the right that says “Comment.”
• From there you can type your comment or, if you prefer, browse and attach a document saved on your computer.
• Use your own words — individual and unique comments carry more weight.  
• In the drop-down menu labeled “Select a comment category” choose “Individual consumer” (unless something else better applies to you.)
• Add your email if you want to receive confirmation of your submission.

The deadline to submit your comments is May 7.