NCBA Urges FDA to Toughen Rules for Fake Meat Marketing

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2025) – Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to toughen up guidance for fake meat companies that would prevent them from using misleading labels on plant-based products.

“Cattle farmers and ranchers work hard every day to raise wholesome, high-quality, and nutritious real beef. We’ve spent decades building a strong reputation with consumers and we will not give up on that without a fight. Companies selling fake meat should not be allowed to use misleading advertising or trade on beef’s good name,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “If you’re manufacturing products to replace beef that contain no real beef, you should not be using terms that are specific to livestock, especially legally defined terms like ‘meat.’

“Likewise, you should not be permitted to utilize pictures of cattle, real beef, or farmers and ranchers in your labeling,” said Wehrbein. “The federal government’s draft guidance for the fake meat industry has not gone far enough to prevent companies from attempting to trick the public into buying fake meat products.”

NCBA’s comments urge FDA to address misleading advertising on plant-based fake meat foods. Plant-based fake meat has been on the market for several years, but sales have tumbled as consumers balk at ultra-processed food. Although the final guidance for industry is nonbinding, closing loopholes that allow plant-based companies to use terms like “beef” and imagery like the outline of a cow are important first steps that benefit real farmers and ranchers. Additional guidance or rulemaking actions may follow in the coming months.

“If you have to hide behind the work of America’s livestock producers to sell your product, that says all you need to know about these inferior imitations,” Wehrbein added.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
CONTACT:
Hunter Imailto:membership@beef.orghrman, hihrman@beef.org
Steve Johnson, srjohnson@beef.org

Click here for more information https://www.ncba.org/

Click here for more information https://americancattlemen.com/

American, Mexican, and Canadian Cattle Producers Sign Joint Statement and Send Letter Raising Brazilian Beef Concerns

American, Mexican, and Canadian Cattle Producers Sign Joint Statement and Send Letter Raising Brazilian Beef Concerns

Statement Strengthens Oversight of Lab-Grown Protein and Promotes Cattle Health

Article courtesy of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

HERMOSILLO, Mexico (May 15, 2024) – Today, leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas (CNOG), and Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) signed a joint statement to continue advocating for greater oversight of emerging lab-grown proteins, protecting cattle from animal diseases, and promoting the sustainability of the cattle industry. This action builds on the recent statement signing with Cattle Australia and furthers the international partnerships between cattle producers.
 


“The signing of this joint statement is an important step that unites cattle producers across North America and around the world to promote and protect efficient cattle production,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele.
 


Following the joint statement signing, NCBA, CNOG, and CCA also signed a letter addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Secretaria de Economía Raquel Buenrostro Sanchez, and Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng urging the U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments to re-engage in opening markets for beef exports and provide stronger science-based oversight of beef imports. Unfortunately, the three governments have expanded market access for beef imports while providing little opportunities for beef exports. If this continues, it will place North American cattle producers at a competitive disadvantage to other beef producers, including South America.



“I am also pleased that American, Mexican, and Canadian cattle producers are standing together to hold our trade partners accountable. For the United States, we have significant concerns that Brazil continues to have access to the U.S. market even though they have a repeated history of failing to disclose animal health concerns, including cases of atypical BSE,” Eisele added. “We continue urging our respective governments to protect the beef supply by blocking Brazilian imports. We are pleased to be partners on these issues and act as the voice of cattle farmers and ranchers to our respective governments.”
 


NCBA has previously raised concerns with Brazil’s access to the American market due to the country’s failure to report cases of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a timely manner to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). These atypical cases occur spontaneously, but countries are required to report any cases within 24 hours to WOAH. The United States has upheld the 24 hour requirement continuously, but Brazil has often delayed reporting cases from anywhere between 35 days and nearly 2 years. That lack of transparency increases the risk to food safety and makes Brazil an unreputable trading partner.  
 


The letter and joint statement were signed at the CNOG 2024 convention in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico by NCBA President Mark Eisele, CNOG President Sr. Homero García de la Llata, and CCA President Nathan Phinney.
 


View the statement here.

View the letter to U.S., Mexican, and Canadian trade officials here.

Background
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) represents America’s beef cattle farmers and ranchers. Initiated in 1898, NCBA has members in all 50 U.S. states and also represents producers through a network of 44 state affiliate organizations.
 
Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas (CNOG), created in 1935, represents Mexican ranchers, local livestock associations, regional livestock unions, registered livestock associations, and regional livestock unions of pig farmers.
 
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) represents Canada’s 60,000 beef farms and feedlots. CCA is a non-profit federation comprised of nine provincial member cattle associations that provide representation to a national, producer-led board of directors.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

CAT is a Proud Supporter of NCBA Members

CAT is a Proud Supporter of NCBA Members

Article and photo courtesy of Cat®

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