Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

France bans use of 'meat' labelling for vegetarian products

Burgers made with vegetal meat at the headquarters of Swiss group Firmenich, one of the world's leading flavour manufacturers, in Satigny near Geneva, Switzerland. © AFP - Fabrice Coffrini

The French government issued a decree Tuesday banning the term "steak" on the label of vegetarian products, saying it was reserved for meat alone.

Other terms that can no longer be used for meat-free products include "escalope", "ham", "filet" and "prime rib", according to the decree.

The ruling is a response to a long-standing complaint by the meat industry that terms like "vegetarian ham" or "vegan sausage" were confusing for consumers.

First law suspended in 2022

It is based on a 2020 law whose application was temporarily suspended by the State Council in June 2022 after a complaint from Proteines France, a consortium of French companies selling plant-based food.

According to the revised decree published Tuesday, some products containing a small amount of plant-based content can continue to use meaty names, such as merguez sausage, bacon or cordon bleu.

Producers elsewhere in the European Union can continue to sell vegetarian food with meat names in France.

Plant based products at a supermarket chain in Brussels, Belgium. AP - Francisco Seco

Proteines France has been arguing that the French law is at odds with EU food rules.

Individuals breaking the labelling law can be fined up to 1,500 euros, rising to 7,500 euros for companies.

But producers have one year to sell their existing stock before any penalties are applied, the decree said.

(with AFP)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.