EU plans strict rules: vegan products should not wear meat sneading!

EU plans strict rules: vegan products should not wear meat sneading!

Frankreich, Land - In the past few months, the debate about the name of vegan products in the European Union has won. A central point of this discussion is the proposed regulation, which should make it possible to reserve certain meat terms such as "chicken", "Bacon" and "Beef" exclusively for meat products. This legislative proposal was submitted by the EU Commission and is scheduled for the meeting of the EU Parliament in September. The background of this initiative is to make clarity that no meat is contained in vegetarian or vegan replacement products. The regulation is intended to affect all marketing phases and is supported by 18 member states in the EU Agriculture Council, including from Agriculture Minister Norbert Tettschnig, who emphasizes that consumers should be able to distinguish between animal and processed food. [5min.at reports that…] (https://www.5min.at/5202507181700/streit-um-name-sollen- vegane-bodu--fleisch-lahrungen/)

The discussion about this topic is not new. Critics such as SPÖ-EU MP Günther Sidl have requested a rejection of the changes and described them as the "reference to the topic". Felix Hnat from Vegan Society Austria also looks critical of the proposal and points out that there have been no confusion in Austria for 15 years.

European context and legal aspects

This discussion complements the existing legal challenges in relation to the naming of plant products. In France, it was legally prohibited to use terms such as "schnitzel" or "sausage" for vegan products, even if they are clearly marked. A associated procedure before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concludes that a general ban is not compatible with the food information regulation No. 1169/2011 of the EU, as long as there is no legally required term. Nevertheless, national authorities could continue to act against misleading advertising if there is a risk of deception. Spiegel.de reports that…

In Germany, there are already “guiding principles for vegan and vegetarian food” for labeling. The ECJ judgment, which deals with the admissibility of such names, initially does not result in practical changes in the German market.

regulations and transparency for consumers

The continued discussions about the labeling of food and the use of organic logos are also important for the creation of transparent rules. In a further judgment, the ECJ made it clear that the EU bio logo may only be used if the product fully corresponds to the EU specifications. This also applies to imports from third countries to avoid competitive disadvantages from European manufacturers and to rule out confusion among consumers. IHK reports that…

Future development in this matter is observed closely, since it not only has an impact on marketing vegan products, but also on the trust of consumers and their decision as to which products they want to buy.