The US government will now buy more products made from plants, not oil

The US Department of Agriculture has combined two programs that encourage the use of plant-based products. This means it will be easier for federal agencies to buy these products, and for companies to get a label for them.

For years, the government had two separate sets of rules for plant-based products: one for federal purchasing and one for voluntary labeling. This made it confusing and slow for companies and agencies. Now, with one streamlined rule, it should be simpler for federal buyers to meet their mandates and for manufacturers to get their products recognized.