The French Court has struck down the ban on using meat terms for plant-based foods in a major victory for vegan ‘bacon’, ‘steak’, and others
In a significant win for plant-based food producers, France’s Council of State has ruled against a ban that would have prevented vegan products from using meat-related terms like ‘nuggets’ and ‘ham’.
The court deemed the proposed restrictions “illegal and contrary to European regulation.”
The ruling means companies can continue using familiar labels such as ‘soy steak’ and ‘lentil sausage’ to describe their products.
French lawmakers had attempted to implement the vegan meat labelling ban through two government decrees – one in 2022 and another in 2023 – which sought to prohibit up to 141 terms associated with meat.
Many brands and organisations fought to oppose the ban, including Beyond Meat, La Vie, and the European Vegetarian Association (EVU) – the umbrella organisation that covers vegan and vegetarian societies and groups across Europe.
In late 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled that national regulations could not override EU food labelling laws, undermining the legal basis for France’s restrictions. Then, in January this year, the French Court held its final hearing on the issue.
During the proceedings, the court’s advocate-general (who provides impartial and independent opinions on cases) recommended the cancellation of both decrees, describing them as “not fit for purpose.”
Shortly after, the French Court struck down the ban entirely, in what Rafael Pinto, Senior Policy Manager at EVU has described as an “important victory for consumer protection,” stating that the arguments behind the ban were “based on misconceptions, not data.”
Following the overturning of the ban, the French government must now cover legal fees for the organisations and brands that fought against the ruling.
The EVU called the ruling “a symbolic moment and cautionary tale for other denomination bans.”
