The European Court of Justice (ECJ) made a significant decision on Friday regarding the use of terms like „steak“ or „sausage“ by French plant-based producers. The court ruled that French producers of plant-based alternatives can use these terms to describe their products, as long as there is no alternative name available. This decision could potentially overturn a law passed by the French government in 2020 and subsequent regulations in June 2022 and February 2024. These regulations were put in place in response to demands from meat processing companies, who argued that terms like „vegan ham,“ „vegan sausage,“ or „vegetarian bacon“ could confuse consumers. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the final decision now rests with the State Council.
The regulations were challenged by companies specializing in vegetarian and vegan foods, prompting the French State Council to suspend their validity until the EU court issued a ruling in line with European regulations. In April of this year, a preliminary court ruling determined that the second regulation, set to take effect in May, would seriously and immediately harm the interests of companies producing plant-based products, as they would have to quickly change their packaging.
Nicolas Schweitzer, the CEO of the French plant-based producer La Vie, expressed relief at the court’s decision, calling it a long-awaited victory. He emphasized the importance of being able to use common terms like „vegetarian bacon“ and „vegetarian ham,“ which are most understandable to consumers. Guillaume Hannotin, a lawyer for the company, criticized the French government for attempting to restrict the industry by banning the use of the term „steak.“
The French government’s actions also inspired the Czech Chamber of Commerce, which requested a similar ban on terms like „vegetarian sausage“ in July 2022. This situation mirrors a previous case in the Czech Republic over a decade ago when the ECJ ruled that spreadable butter could not be labeled as butter due to its low milk fat content. The Czech Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with producers, introduced a regulation stipulating that a product with identical parameters to traditional spreadable butter would be labeled as „traditional spreadable.“
In October 2020, Members of the European Parliament voted for stricter rules on labeling plant-based milk or cheese alternatives. For several years, the EU has prohibited the use of terms like „almond milk“ or „vegan cheese“ for plant-based alternatives. This ongoing debate highlights the importance of clear labeling and consumer understanding in the growing market for plant-based products.
The decision by the ECJ regarding the use of terms like „steak“ and „sausage“ by plant-based producers in France has far-reaching implications for the industry and consumer choice. It underscores the need for clear regulations and communication to ensure transparency and understanding in the evolving landscape of plant-based foods.