Michele Simon, executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), leads this discussion into what vegan and plant-based food brands need to know in regards to legal rights and responsibilities.

As the rise of vegan and plant-based food continues, the animal agriculture industries have fought back, with some states banning the use of words such as ‘meat’ or ‘butter’ on products that are animal-free.

Challenges are coming from both a federal and state level, and panelists outline how plant-based brands can best protect themselves, particularly in relation to food labeling, as well as what the PBFA is doing to fight these challenges.

This panel discussion was recorded at the Plant Based World Conference & Expo at the Javits Convention Center, New York, 7-8 June, 2019.

Michele Simon, who has 22 years of experience in food and beverage law and policy, is joined by fellow legal professionals:

Rebecca Cross, founding partner, Greenfare Law who has been a food lawyer for more than a decade. Rebecca has represented some of the most successful category leaders in the food industry and worked with food companies in all stages of growth — from pre-revenue startups to publicly-traded companies. She is on the advisory board of PBFA and her core area of expertise is in regulatory and brand protection.

Lauren Handel, principal attorney at Handel Food Law, which focuses exclusively on food, farming and alcoholic beverage businesses. Her practice includes regulatory compliance, commercial contracts, intellectual property, and litigation. Lauren has counseled and represented companies ranging from single-owner start-ups to Fortune 50 multinationals.

August Horvath, a partner at Foley Hoag and Co-Chair of its Advertising & Marketing practice. An advertising and antitrust attorney, he counsels clients on how to substantiate and defend marketing claims they wish to make for their products and services, helps them challenge false and disparaging advertising by their competitors, and assists them in managing relationships with competitors, customers and suppliers without running afoul of antitrust laws.

Recorded by Katrina Fox, founder, Vegan Business Media.

NOTE: Due to background noise in the venue, video is best watched with headphones.

Find out more about the Plant Based World Conference & Expo here