A French court has suspended a decree that would ban the use of meat names like ‘steak’ and ‘sausage’ for plant-based protein foods from October.

Published in June, the decree established that as of 1 October, “it will not be possible to use sector-specific terminology traditionally associated with meat and fish to designate products that do not belong to the animal world and which, in essence, are not comparable”.

Were it implemented, it would make France the first country in the European Union to impose such a restriction on meat alternatives.

Protéines France lobbied for the pause on the ban, arguing that companies would not have enough time to make the required changes to their branding and marketing.

According to ProVeg International, the French Conseil d’État, the country’s highest court, expressed doubt about the legality of the decree and deemed it unjustified in terms of providing consumer information.

“We are delighted to hear that the French Conseil d’État has decided to suspend the decree prohibiting names for plant-based products,” said Jasmijn de Boo, vice president of ProVeg International.

“Plant-based foods are part of the solution to tackling the climate crisis and any regulation should actively support their sale and marketing not hamper it,” she added.

#France #labelling