The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has reported La Sirena to the Catalan Consumer Agency for the “misleading” labeling of a plant food advertised as tuna.
The entity has done so "based" on European Regulation 1169/2011 and the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users, which establish that food information “must not mislead about the characteristics of the product or its nature, qualities and composition.”
This was announced on April 5 by the association in a statement in which it stated that the labeling of the Current Tuna product sold by the frozen food chain “is confusing and, therefore, misleading for the consumer,” because, in the same way which indicate that it is a “100% vegetable product”, he pointed out that it was “frozen red tuna loin”.
In the letter, the OCU added that for this they used a “similar” font size and “highlighting it with a colored background,” which, in its opinion, is “sufficient reason” to denounce La Sirena.
The organization pointed out that it is not “against” this type of products, but, given the “growing confusion” among consumers due to “confusing or misleading” labeling on plant foods that “imitate the appearance of animal foods,” He urged authorities “not to allow the use of names that imply animal origin.”
He also warned that, "if the name of the animal appears, it must go next to the expression 'flavor of...' and in the same font size as the aromas included."
Likewise, he urged to prohibit names such as “steak”, “chorizo” or “sausage” that are associated with meat products, something that, he recalled, “France has just banned.”
Finally, he urged not to allow the use of drawings or photographs that “show the animal they try to resemble, whether cattle or fish” and called for the articulation of “more demanding” regulations.
