Real MEAT Act of 2023

S 3281, the Real MEAT Act of 2023, requires that plant-based products marketed as "beef," "pork," "poultry," or "meat" must clearly state "imitation" before or after the product name and specify they contain no meat. This directly affects manufacturers and retailers of plant-based alternatives (like veggie burgers or "chicken" substitutes) by mandating transparent labeling to prevent consumer confusion. The bill defines terms such as "imitation beef" as products mimicking meat's texture, flavor, or appearance without any meat ingredients. It also establishes a process where the FDA must notify the USDA about misbranded products, allowing USDA to enforce labeling rules under meat inspection laws if the FDA doesn't act. The law aims to ensure labels accurately reflect product composition without restricting plant-based food innovation.