The Ministry of Agriculture in France is revisiting a plan to ban the use of animal-related names for plant-based foods, such as ‘steak’. The ban was initially proposed in a labelling law in 2020 but was suspended due to appeals. However, after a review of observations by the Council of State, the new decree will come into force soon, pending approval from the European Commission.
The Ministry stated that penalties will be imposed for any infringements once the decree is implemented. The aim of the decree is to ensure transparency and loyalty to consumers by preventing misleading claims on food labels. The use of names traditionally associated with animal products will no longer be allowed for plant-based foods manufactured and marketed in France.
Suppliers of plant-based protein products will have three months to comply with the decree once it takes effect. This will allow them time to adjust their labelling or continue marketing products labeled before the implementation, until stocks last or for up to one year from its publication.
Fesneau, France’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, emphasized the importance of maintaining consumer trust and the clarity of labelling. The decree aims to meet the legitimate expectations of both consumers and producers.
