Missouri will become the first U.S. state to regulate the use of the word “meat” to describe food products

A new law prohibiting food manufacturers from using the word “meat” on products made without animal flesh is being legally challenged even before it goes into effect next week.Missouri will become the first U.S. state to regulate the use of the word “meat” to describe food products that do not contain animal flesh when the law goes into effect Sept. 4. The law, however, already is being challenged in a lawsuit filed by Tofurky, the manufacturer of vegetarian products developed using plant-based sources but labeled as hot dogs, sausages, burgers, roasts and other food products.The Hood River, Ore.-based company contends that the provision barring food producers from “misrepresenting” their products as meat – as in calling them sausage and hot dogs – if they are not made from livestock or poultry is too vague. Tofurky contends that it would be forced to change its packaging if the law is enacted as planned. The lawsuit includes the advocacy group the Good Food Institute as a co-plaintiff.Missouri lawmakers passed the statute forming the basis of the law in May and Gov. Mike Parson signed the bill June 1. The marketing of plant-based or cell-cultured food products labeled as “meat” has been a focus of such trade groups as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, among other industry organizations. Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley is expected to defend the law in the wake of the Tofurky lawsuit.