Recent efforts to enforce a ban on ‘meaty’ names for alternatives are reaching a critical point after multiple previous attempts.
The EU has proposed banning terms such as ‘steak’, ‘hamburger’, and ‘escalope’ for meat alternatives, a proposal that has gained support in Parliament and is close to implementation.
Later this week, the European Commission along with member states will decide if this ban becomes law.
It’s important to note that since leaving the EU in 2020, the UK is not obligated to follow these regulations. Following the vote, Mark Cuddigan, CEO of THIS, remarked that the UK being free from these regulations is “the first positive thing I can think of that has come from Brexit.”
However, this exemption may not last long. Reports from The Guardian suggest that, if the ban is put into effect, it could also apply to the UK.
UK’s Potential Alignment with EU Food Regulations
Concerns about EU food regulations are a familiar topic for the UK. Misconceptions about EU bans on ‘bendy’ bananas, for example, fueled Brexit support initially.
Now, discussions surrounding food laws are resurfacing. A recent trade deal between the UK and the EU may lead to alignment in their food regulations.
Complexity around food safety checks at the UK border may be streamlined through such alignment, facilitating smoother trade.
This alignment could result in stricter UK regulations regarding gene editing, a revisit of its commitment to restrict foie gras, and a prohibition on eight specific smoky flavorings.
Even oatcakes, a popular UK snack, might face bans due to the presence of mycotoxins in British oats, as reported by The Times.
Currently, reports indicate that the deal could also encompass the ‘meaty’ names for meat alternatives if the ban is implemented. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has informed UK stakeholders that businesses would be subject to these regulations.
Such changes could substantially impact numerous plant-based businesses operating in the UK, including THIS, Quorn, Planted, and Moving Mountains, among others.
The FSA has been approached for commentary.
Scope of the Proposed Ban on Meaty Names
The EU Parliament has recently supported a ban on meat-associated terms for meat alternatives.
This ban was introduced as an amendment to a proposal amending the EU’s Common Market Organisation (CMO).
While it specifies seven banned terms—burger, hamburger, steak, sausage, escalope, egg yolk, and egg white—it is understood that the ban would extend to similar terms.
Will this ban hold? We will soon find out. Importantly, the implications won’t only affect the EU.
