Spanish seafood groups join forces to urge government to ban 'fraudulent' plant-based products
Several of the countries major trade groups are calling for the withdrawal of the products, 'which seek to deceive the consumer.'
Spain's seafood industry is coming together in an attempt to get "fraudulent" plant-based seafood products withdrawn from the market.
The Spanish Fisheries Confederation (Cepesca), the Spanish Aquaculture Producers’ Association (Apromar) and the Spanish Association of Canned Seafood Processors (Anfaco-Cecopesca), along with the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds (FNCP), have all teamed up to petition the government to ban any plant-based products with confusing labeling and presentation.
The national organizations, which have been joined by the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters and Manufacturers of Fish and Aquaculture Products (Conxemar), have requested the Ministry of Consumer Affairs carries out, "with the greatest urgency, the necessary steps to proceed with the review and subsequent withdrawal of these type of fraudulent products, which seek to deceive the consumer."
According to the letter, in addition to failing to comply with various European and national regulations regarding unfair competition practices, labeling, presentation and advertising of food products, and food safety and nutrition, these products of plant origin "clearly confuse the consumer since, by using these names, they make them believe that by eating them they can obtain the same nutritional benefits that are achieved with fish products."
The sector's complaints are based on two specific examples: hake and canned tuna.
The letter includes comparative nutritional tables of a vegan product called "Merlvza", from the company Heura Foods, and authentic hake, as well as the product “Atun vegano al natural” from the brand Sea So Good, along with natural tuna.
These tables, according to the organizations, demonstrate the nutritional benefits that come from eating authentic fish, not obtained with plant-based products, which, in the opinion of the sector, "represents fraud and deception for the consumer."
"We mention these examples, but we know that there are more products of plant origin sold by other companies that, taking advantage of the growing trend of vegan trends among the population, occupy a market niche, confusing the consumer," said the letter.
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