In a landmark decision on October 4, 2024, the European Court of Justice (EU Court) ruled against France's attempt to ban the use of terms like "steak" and "sausage" for plant-based products, emphasising such bans disrupt EU-wide food labeling harmonisation and do not conform with established EU consumer information regulations.
The court highlighted that unless a member state has established a specific legal definition for these terms, it cannot restrict their use for plant-based alternatives.
This decision arose after the French government's decree, influenced by meat industry lobbying, attempted to prohibit "meaty" terms on plant-based foods, arguing that it would mislead consumers. The court's ruling asserts that current EU laws sufficiently protect consumers and maintain market uniformity without additional national restrictions.
Source: Dreamstime
ProVeg International and other vegetarian and vegan advocacy groups celebrated the verdict, viewing it as a victory for consumer choice and transparency. They argue the French initiative was driven more by economic interests of the traditional meat sector than by consumer confusion. The court also indicated member states could intervene if specific marketing strategies are misleading, but general prohibitions are not permissible.
This ruling sets a precedent affecting similar legislative efforts in Italy and Spain, ensuring plant-based products can continue to be marketed using traditional food terms across the EU.
The decision highlights the importance of consistent food labeling laws and supports the growth of the plant-based food industry by allowing them to use customary names like "burgers" and "sausages".
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