European Court of Justice Rules in Favor of Plant-Based Food Manufacturers
Plant-based protein food manufacturers have won a significant victory as the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in their favor. The court stated that EU member states cannot restrict these manufacturers from using terms like “sausage” and “burger” to market their products, even if they are traditionally associated with animal-based products.
The ruling, published on the ECJ website, emphasized that as long as the ingredients of these plant-based products are clearly labeled and not misleading to consumers, manufacturers are free to use commonly understood terms for marketing.
This decision came in response to a 2022 French government decree aimed at banning terms like ‘veggie burgers’ and ‘vegan sausages’ for plant-based products. The decree was later contested by various entities, leading to the ECJ ruling.
The ruling also highlighted the importance of consumer protection and transparency in the food industry, signaling a positive step towards providing accurate information to consumers. This decision is expected to discourage other EU countries from enforcing similar bans on plant-based product labeling, ultimately benefitting consumers and the industry as a whole.