After ceasing distribution in Canada due to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulations that required packaging changes, testing and possibly manufacturing changes, The Field Roast Grain Meat Company found itself in a bit of a moral quandary.
On the Field Roast website, they explained that Canadian regulations rule that they are making a “simulated meat product” and need to add this language to their labels. They explained the complications, “The standards for a “simulated meat product” require a Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) study (conducted using live animals) to evaluate the protein in relation to animal meats. A PER study has not been done on vital wheat gluten, yet we are making a protein-rich vegetarian sausage entirely from wheat (and vegetables and real ingredients!). Other companies may be making vegetarian meats using vital wheat gluten alongside soy or other recognized proteins with PER results. Furthermore, we would need to add chemical supplements and vitamins to our product to meet these regulations, which would stray from our purpose of making real meat without animal products or additives. As a company, we believe there is a fundamental bias that exists in these regulations; one that holds animal proteins as the standard of all meats.”
The Field Roast Grain Meat Company found a temporary solution and began re-introducing its products to Canada, at the CHFA show in Vancouver, BC. After the outpouring of support and outrage by Canadian consumers and over 74,000 signatures gathered, the Seattle company decided to reformulate for its customers, meanwhile forming the Plant Foods Council in order to continue advocating for change.
A Temporary Solution
Canada’s current regulations hold animal foods as the standard of good nutrition, by requiring vegetarian sausages to match the nutritional profile of animal-based sausages. In order to comply, Field Roast added two new ingredients to its sausages; pea protein and a vitamin fortification mixture. Furthermore, the words “simulated sausage” and “contains no meat” have been added to the label, which is a change made for the sole purpose of offering these products to our Canadian customers. For the past 18 years, the concept of real vegan meat has been rooted in the Field Roast brand, rather than fake animal meat. Founded in 1997, Field Roast Grain Meat Company creates artisan vegan meats and cheeses, made with real ingredients and traditional food making practices. The Company has enjoyed a strong following in Canada for the last 7 years. After controversy surrounding the CFIA regulation that called for testing the protein on animals, Field Roast was approved to use an alternative method, not involving any animals.
Plant Foods Council
The Plant Foods Council (PFC) is a trade association of food manufacturers who make vegan products similar to traditional animal products such as meats, milks, cheeses and butters. Consumer interest in health and in plant-based products has been growing for the last 10 years, and continues to grow exponentially.
The animal meat industry currently benefits from large government subsidies, powerful trade associations and support from industry-funded nutrition associations. The Plant Foods Council will work to update Canadian food labelling regulations and promote the health and ecological benefits of a plant-based diet. For information and support, please visit www.plantfoodscouncil.org, join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter or call Kiley Simmons, kiley.simmons@fieldroast.com, 206-762-5961
