The French government has recently announced a ban on using meat-related names to label plant-based products. This move was prompted by demands from the animal agri-food industry to prevent the use of meat-product names in plant-based foods. This decision has made France the first country in the European Union to restrict the use of traditional meat names for plant protein. 

Initially proposed in 2022, the measure was subsequently blocked by an administrative court due to its vagueness and insufficient time given to companies to adapt. However, the decree has now been approved and will come into effect in three months' time. 

The decree outlines two lists of prohibited terms. The first list bars meat-derived product names from being used to describe, market, or promote plant-based products, such as 'steak' and 'spare-ribs'. The second list prohibits animal product names from being used, even if they contain plant proteins as part of their ingredients but do not replace animal products. This includes terms such as 'ham', 'bacon' and all 'sausages.

The decree also features a mutual recognition clause, exempting products legally manufactured or marketed in other countries from this ban. Companies have a year to sell products with labels that display prohibited animal names printed before the resolution. Administrative fines include maximum fines of €1,500 for individuals and €7,500 for companies.

Photo by José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash

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