This controversy stems from the issue of \u201cmilk-sounding\u201d terminology<\/strong>, governed by Regulation (EU) No. 1308\/2013, which bans terms like \u201ccheese\u201d or \u201cmilk\u201d for describing plant-based alternatives. For Barbara Ferrante, however, this is not just about rules\u2014it\u2019s a fight for freedom of expression and an ethical future.<\/p>\n In this interview, Barbara shares her journey, the challenges she has faced, and her message to policymakers.<\/p>\n VEGANOK:<\/strong> Where was the word \u201ccheese\u201d that led to the Ministry\u2019s notice? VEGANOK:<\/strong> Why do you think your vegan dairy was targeted, given that larger companies use similar terms? VEGANOK:<\/strong> How did you respond to the notice to desist?<\/span> VEGANOK:<\/strong> Do you think this will harm your business?<\/span> VEGANOK:<\/strong> What impact do you think these regulations have on the plant-based sector?<\/span> VEGANOK:<\/strong> What is your message to policymakers?<\/span> The Caseificio Vegano<\/em> case exposes the contradictions of Regulation (EU) No. 1308\/2013, which restricts the use of descriptive terms like \u201cvegan cheese\u201d to protect dairy products. These restrictions are a hurdle for the growing plant-based market<\/strong>, which plays a crucial role in the ecological transition promoted by the European Green Deal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n To tackle these challenges, VEGANOK, in collaboration with Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE), has established a European working group<\/strong> to draft a Position Paper.<\/p>\n The paper aims to:<\/p>\n Sauro Martella, founder of VEGANOK and promoter of the milk-sounding working group at SAFE, stated:<\/p>\n The ordeal faced by Barbara Ferrante, a courageous entrepreneur and dear friend, is yet another example of how outdated and punitive current regulations are towards those operating ethically and transparently. Calling her products \u2018vegan cheese\u2019 misleads no one\u2014those seeking plant-based alternatives know exactly what they\u2019re buying. This regulation doesn\u2019t protect consumers; it safeguards a system unwilling to embrace change. We won\u2019t allow those working for a sustainable future to be silenced by unjust and obstructive rules. Barbara is not alone in this fight, and our working group at SAFE exists to challenge these legislative distortions and create a fairer market.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Barbara Ferrante has turned her dairy\u2019s struggle into an ethical battle, intertwining her entrepreneurial experience with a powerful anti-speciesist stance. This approach has garnered significant support from the vegan community, which sees her not just as a brave entrepreneur but as a beacon of change.<\/p>\n Renata Balducci, president of the Italian Vegan Association, expressed her solidarity and support, emphasising the importance of protecting those who, like Barbara, fight for an ethical and sustainable future:<\/p>\n Barbara\u2019s case is not just an attack on a business; it\u2019s an attempt to stifle a revolutionary message that threatens those clinging to the status quo. Barbara isn\u2019t just producing vegan cheese\u2014she\u2019s demonstrating that a respectful and sustainable alternative is possible. Her work and determination are a light for those who believe in a future where animals are no longer treated as resources to exploit. As the Italian Vegan Association, we stand by her in this fight. Her voice is our voice too.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Barbara Ferrante\u2019s story is more than just an example of the challenges faced by plant-based businesses; it\u2019s a symbol of resistance and determination. In a regulatory context struggling to keep pace with cultural and consumer shifts, supporting initiatives like Caseificio Vegano<\/em> and working towards a fairer, more ethical, and sustainable future is crucial.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When words become a battle: the Caseificio Vegano\u2019s struggle against outdated regulations and its unwavering ethical stance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":121128,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-121125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-osservatorio"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"vegan](\"https:\/\/www.veganok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/foto-copertina-articoli-35.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe interview with Barbara Ferrante<\/h2>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante:<\/strong> We never used the word \u201ccheese\u201d directly. Instead, we used phrases like \u201cplant-based cheese alternatives\u201d or, on social media, \u201cvegan cheese.\u201d On our website, we clarified that our products resemble the taste of traditional cheese. Yet, the Ministry objected to everything. I can\u2019t even say they taste similar to cheese anymore.<\/p>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante:<\/strong> I\u2019ve asked myself that same question a thousand times. We\u2019re a tiny, artisanal operation, far removed from supermarket shelves. Perhaps it\u2019s our communication that scares them. We state openly that our vegan cheese is cruelty-free, whereas traditional one involves agony and death. I believe the issue isn\u2019t what we sell but how we communicate it.<\/p>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante:<\/strong> I had to delete everything: four years of work on social media, videos, posts, and anti-speciesist messages. There wasn\u2019t a single post that didn\u2019t end with phrases like \u201cwithout animal suffering\u201d or hashtags denouncing animal cruelty. It was devastating, but I chose to comply to avoid further notice. Now, our channels are empty, except for a video and an ad for a market stall.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante: <\/strong>Paradoxically, no. The video we posted after the notice has had a huge impact, with 50,000 views\u2014mostly from non-followers. The message about animal suffering is coming through loud and clear. So, while my business might suffer, the animal cause will benefit. That\u2019s what matters most to me.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante: It\u2019s an attack against change. Not only does it penalise small businesses like mine, but it also confuses consumers. Our products are clearly labelled, and people looking for plant-based alternatives aren\u2019t expecting dairy. These rules only serve to protect an unsustainable system.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBarbara Ferrante:<\/strong> As an individual, I have just one plea: leave the animals alone. They deserve freedom. As an entrepreneur, I urge institutions to stop obstructing those working towards positive change.<\/span><\/p>\nThe regulatory context and advocacy efforts<\/h2>\n
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![\"sauro](\"https:\/\/www.veganok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/sauro-martella.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA message of support from the Italian Vegan Association AssoVegan<\/h2>\n
![\"renata](\"https:\/\/www.veganok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/renata-balducci.jpg\")
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