Companies producing plant-based meat alternatives, including Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, have been criticized for their marketing and makeup of their products as well as their use of animal testing.[1] Dietitians have claimed they are not necessarily healthier than meat due to their highly processed nature and sodium content.[2][3]
John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods, and Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, have criticized meat alternatives as ultra-processed foods. Chipotle has claimed it will not carry these products at their restaurants due to their highly processed nature. According to CNBC, "Chipotle joins the likes of Taco Bell—Niccol's former employer—and Arby's in committing to excluding meatless meats on its menu."[4] In response, Beyond Meat invited Niccol to visit its manufacturing site to see the production process.[4] Chipotle later developed its own "plant-based chorizo".[5][6] In September 2022, Taco Bell also began adding plant-based meat alternatives to its menu.[7]
Some consulting firms and analysts demand more transparency in terms of the environmental impact of plant-based meat.[8] Through a survey, analysts from Deloitte discovered that some consumers linked meat alternatives as "woke" and politically-left leaning.[9] These ideas came from Cracker Barrel's introduction of Impossible Sausages in their restaurants in August, 2022.[10] In 2021, 68% of consumers who purchased plant based meats believed it was healthier than animal meat.[9] That number dropped to 60% in 2022, demonstrating a shift in views about the healthiness, and following a five percent decrease in eco-friendliness, of these meats.[9]
Some states have instituted legislation stating that meat alternatives are not allowed to label themselves as "meat". In Louisiana, the so-called, "Truth in Labeling of Food Products Act" was challenged by Tofurkey, complaining of free speech violations[11] and was successful on those grounds.[12]
A newer focus of alternative meats from companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods focus on appealing to meat eaters. University of Oregon marketing professor Steffen Jahn thinks that this has run afoul of human psychology, saying “the mimicking of real meat introduces that comparison of authenticity.”[13] Jahn argues that marketing plant-based meats with traditional meats leads to an artificiality that many consumers do not love.[13] Consumer psychologists split foods into categories of “virtue” and “vice” foods, which ultimately guide how products are marketed and sold.[14] Many ready-made meat alternatives combine these categories with their long list of ingredients. Consumers who are likely to want to be “virtuous” by avoiding damage to the environment or animals are also likely to want “virtuous” food in the form of simple ingredients.[13]
- ^ "Why It's Impossible for PETA to Get Behind the Impossible Burger". Archived from the original on 2018-07-27.
- ^ Lucas, Amelia (4 July 2019). "Are Beyond Meat's plant-based burgers healthier than red meat? Dietitians say no". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ Drayer, Lisa (2019). "They might be better for the planet, but are plant-based burgers good for you?". CNN Health. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ a b Lucas, Amelia (24 July 2019). "Beyond Meat CEO invites Chipotle for a tour after its fake meats are called too processed". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
- ^ Lucas, Amelia (19 August 2021). "Chipotle is testing a meatless chorizo alternative in two markets". CNBC. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
- ^ Lucas, Amelia (3 January 2022). "Chipotle adds meatless chorizo to its menu for limited time". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
- ^ Martin, Brittany (2022-09-21). "Taco Bell Is Putting Beyond Meat on the Menu – And We Tasted It". Vegetarian Times. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
- ^ Creswell, Julie (15 October 2021). "Plant-Based Food Companies Face Critics: Environmental Advocates". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ a b c "Plant based meat sales slowing". Deloitte Insights. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ Valinsky, Jordan (2022-08-04). "Cracker Barrel sparks uproar for plant-based sausage critics say is 'woke' | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ "Pickin' on Veggies: Louisiana's "Truth in Labeling of Food Products Act"". January 22, 2020.
- ^ "Veggie 'Meat' Maker Tofurky Wins Free Speech Challenge to Food-Labeling Law". March 31, 2022.
- ^ a b c Osaka, Shannon (2023-01-23). "The big problem with plant-based meat: The 'meat' part". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ van Doorn, Jenny; Verhoef, Peter C. (2011-09-01). "Willingness to pay for organic products: Differences between virtue and vice foods". International Journal of Research in Marketing. 28 (3): 167–180. doi:10.1016/j.ijresmar.2011.02.005. ISSN 0167-8116.