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MEPs oppose plant-based alternatives using meat terms

Paolo de Castro from the Socialists and Democrats party and Giovanni La Via from the European People's Party sent a written question to the Commission last month.

Although European legislation prohibits food manufacturers from using dairy terms to market their analog products, such as cheese or dairy, there are no equivalent rules for meat products.

As more consumers adopt meat-reducing eating habits for both environmental and ethical reasons, the meat alternative market is seen as increasingly lucrative – attracting even the interest of a number of meat processors investing in this space.

Yet, as in the dairy sector there is resistance to manufacturers of plant-based products using traditional meat terms.

The MEPs ask the Commission: "Since there is currently no clear European legislation protecting certain names, and the market is saturated with this type of product, does the Commission intend to intervene and regulate this particular sector, [and] to introduce European legislation to safeguard certain names relating to meat products, as is the case for dairy products?

 

You can read the full article HERE

 

Food Labelling Services comments:

The Food Information Regulations 1169/2011 clearly states that food labelling information must always be open, honest and fair, and must not mislead consumers as to the nature, substance or quality of the food. With the increase in non meat alternatives, in our opinion, there is a requirement for similar regulation to the reserved/protected designations assigned to milk and milk products, as listed in Annex XII to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 (Single CMO Regulation).