REGULATORY · EU
EU bans some meat terms on vegan labels
Change
On Thursday, EU negotiators agreed to ban 31 meat-related names (including “steak” and “bacon”) for vegetarian and vegan products while allowing terms such as “veggie burger” and “meat-free sausage.”
Why it matters
EU negotiators from the European parliament and the EU council of ministers agreed on rules for food names on Thursday. The agreed rules ban the use of 31 meat-related names to describe vegetarian and vegan products. The prohibited list includes bacon, beef, chicken, drumstick, loin, ribs, steak, T-bone and wing. Terms such as “veggie burgers” and “meat-free sausages” remain permitted. An earlier proposal to prohibit names such as burger and sausage was abandoned.
Implications
- • Vegetarian and vegan products cannot use 31 specified meat-related names in product naming.
- • “Burger” and “sausage” terms remain allowed for vegetarian and vegan products when used in forms such as “veggie burger” and “meat-free sausage.”
Who is affected
- • Food manufacturers of vegetarian and vegan products
- • Food labeling and packaging compliance teams
- • Retailers selling vegetarian and vegan packaged foods
Source
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Compliance Agriculture Food & Beverages