A
new Arkansas law prohibits food companies that produced plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products from labeling that uses terms associated with the more traditional items.
That means something that has long been associated with meat-burgers, bacon or hot dogs, for example-can't be used by plant-based alternatives. No more veggie burgers or tofu sausage. No more soy or almond milk. No more vegan cheese. Even shredded cauliflower cannot be called "riced" anymore.
Supporters say consumers might be confused by such labeling. Critics-including this newspaper in this space earlier in the week-see it as a special protection for the meat and dairy industries. It's bad for these plant-based businesses and the extra cost of special labeling for the Arkansas market may make some of the products less available to consumers who want them.
The law has been challenged in court. In the meantime, we want to know what you think. Do you think this new law was needed? Or do you think it serves no real purpose?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, July 31. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Onscreen Smoking?
Last week's question was about the effort to reduce or ban smoking on TV and in films. Are you in favor of films and TV eliminating smoking unless there is a valid historical context? Or do you think the whole issue is overblown?
From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette
- Really? It's a grown up decision. if someone wants to smoke let them and if they want to make films/movies with people smoking in them it's fine with me. What's next? People get so butt hurt over everything these days.
- Overblown. Smoking (tobacco or marijuana) and drinking should be allowed on TV
- EVERYTHING in the entertainment industry is overblown. If your teen or pre-teen is overcome with temptation to smoke from watching a movie you have more than just a small dilemma to address.
- Teenager murders people on Netflix and no one bats an eye. Grown man smokes a lot of cigarettes on Netflix and people freak out.
- While I personally find smoking extremely disgusting and would not date/marry a smoker, period films and TV should try to keep it accurate as possible. But if possible it should be minimized.
- There are a lot worse things portrayed in movies and TV than smoking-those are the things they need to worry about.
- I'm more concerned about idiots licking the Blue Bell.
- It needs to be historically accurate. It doesn't need to be shown heavily in current era movies/shows because of the cultural change. In the 80s it was culturally accurate.
- Of all the things the Lord has protected me from. He never let me pick up the nasty expensive unhealthy habit of smoking. Thank you again Lord Jesus.
- I think if you can tear down statues and pretend like it didn't happen we can surely cut cigarettes out of movies!
- Overblown.
- In favor of.
- Selling sex toys, phone sex and alcohol are on TV. What's the problem with a cigarette?
- Personal responsibility folks. If someone wants to smoke it's their business. No different than drinking or any other habit.
- What about alcohol? Or drugs? If you take one out you should take both. Alcohol and drugs kills innocent people everyday! A lot more than smoking. It's so one sided.
- There's a lot more things in this world to worry about besides smoking on the screen. If the writers wrote it into the script, leave it on the screen.
- It is a person's right to drink, eat, smoke what they want. Would you like it if I told you who you could sleep with or talk to?
- Silly.
- Completely overblown! If that's the worst temptation your young person faces, you've both led quite a sheltered life.
- Some movies are just overdone with it-I hate smoking though, so I'm probably not the one to ask. HATE. IT.
- This is stupid. It's TV. Kids see drug use, drinking, sex, etc. Smoking is by far not the worst thing on TV
- When I smoked I was shut out everywhere. Looked down on and treated a few times like a criminal. Since I've quit I think they should take it out of everywhere. I hate to say it but it's true smokers stink, they cause me and others to stink. I don't want to smell them, they burn my nose and eyes and I'd rather they didn't.
- Probably should eliminate liquor, drinking on film. Can cause serious consequences. It is always about tobacco but those lawmakers love their booze!
- Lol some of ya'll saying these comments probably smoking a cigarette, as you type lmao.
- Folks being too nitpicky. Teach your children better. There's lots of things I see on tv but I sure don't run out and do it all!