Meati Foods, a company known for its alt meat products, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging false advertising. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of California by plaintiff Serena Caldeira, claims that Meati falsely promotes its cutlets and steaks as being "made from mushroom root." According to the complaint, the main ingredient in Meati’s products is actually Neurospora Crassa, a type of mold commonly found on bread, and not mushrooms or any part of them.
Caldeira asserts that Meati's own research indicated consumers would be less likely to purchase its products if they knew they were made from mold. She argues that this lack of transparency allowed Meati to charge higher prices than if the true nature of the ingredients were disclosed.
The complaint also raises concerns about potential allergic reactions to mold, although it does not provide specific evidence that Neurospora Crassa used by Meati Foods poses any food safety issues.
While Meati Foods has not yet submitted a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice to the FDA for N. Crassa, The Better Meat Co., another company using the same fungus for its meat alternatives, recently received a ‘no questions’ letter from the FDA, affirming the safety of their product.
In its GRAS notice, The Better Meat Co. highlighted that no evidence suggests proteins from N. Crassa pose any greater risk to consumers than other common fungi. The FDA’s response indicated no concerns regarding the safety of their fungal protein under its intended use.
Comparison to Quorn Settlement
This lawsuit against Meati Foods draws parallels to a 2016 class action against Quorn Foods. Quorn was accused of misleading consumers by suggesting its products, made from Fusarium Venenatum, were similar to mushrooms. Quorn settled the case by adding labels clarifying that its mycoprotein is a mold and acknowledging the potential for rare allergic reactions.
Caldeira argues that Meati's actions are more egregious, claiming that Meati explicitly misstates its products as mushroom-based, a claim prominently displayed on their packaging.
Meati Foods’ Response and Future Direction
Founded in 2015 by engineers Dr. Justin Whiteley and Dr. Tyler Huggins, Meati Foods has grown significantly, now selling its products in over 6,000 stores across the US. The company has begun shifting its marketing to describe its main ingredient as mycelium, which more accurately reflects its true nature. This change was initiated before the lawsuit and is part of Meati's efforts toward greater transparency.
A spokesperson for Meati Foods stated, “Over the past few months, we’ve been moving towards calling Meati exactly what it is—mycelium—out of a spirit of simplicity and transparency. Consumers are savvy, and even though they might not have heard of mycelium in the past, we believe that once they taste and understand its health benefits, they’ll adopt the new language. Mycelium is a powerhouse; it’s a great nutritious product that meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike can enjoy.”
This case underscores the communication challenges within the mycoprotein sector, where various fungi are used, some of which are unfamiliar to consumers. Despite the legal challenges, Meati Foods continues to expand its operations, recently ramping up production at its “Mega Ranch” in Thornton, Colorado, with plans to produce 40 million pounds of product annually.