THE Coalition would spend $1.5 million to help stop Australian families being tricked into buying fake meat products that are actually plant-based, if it achieves a win in the Federal Election on 3 May.

Plant based mince in a local supermarket.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has pledged consumers, as well as the meat and livestock industry, would be protected by a future Coalition Government, by addressing the recommendations from the 2022 Don’t Mince Words: Definitions of Meat and Other Animal Products Senate Inquiry.

“Labor failed in its election commitment to deliver accurate and clear labelling,” Mr Littleproud said.

“In a cost-of-living crisis, lack of clarity under current labelling laws means families have been tricked into thinking they are buying ‘cheap’ meat products such as beef or chicken, when in reality they are plant-based. Labor promised to support meat and plant industries and improve regulations but has completely dropped the ball,” he said.

The former Coalition Government led the way with providing truth in labelling, introducing Country of Origin, to help Australian consumers make informed choices.

Mr Littleproud said since then, Labor had not really done anything to implement their election commitment to deliver accurate and clear food labelling, except announce $1.5 million in its 24-25 Budget for research and working with industry.

“Labor was slow to act on supermarket price gouging and has also been slow to act on meat labelling. The failure to fix inaccurate labelling is confusing for families who were already struggling with prices at the supermarket checkout.

“The failure to fix inaccurate labelling is disadvantaging Australian farmers and undermining their reputation for producing high quality meat. A future Coalition Government will fix this problem, once and for all, so Aussies can enjoy meat, that is meat, and farmers can get the recognition for their product they deserve.”