French food producers may soon be banned from using “meat-like” terms to describe vegetarian and vegan products if a new amendment comes into effect.
French MPs have voted to ban the use of words such as “vegetarian sausages” and “vegan bacon”, arguing the terms are misleading for consumers.
According to BBC, MP Jean-Baptiste Moreau has proposed an amendment to an agriculture bill, basing his argument on a similar judgment by the European Court of Justice that bans soya and tofu products from being marketed as “milk” or “butter”.
“It is important to combat false claims. Our products must be designated correctly: the terms of #cheese or #steak will be reserved for products of animal origin,” Moreau said via Twitter.
If the amendment is passed, producers will be banned from using the words “burger”, “steak”, “sausage” or “fillet” when marketing products that do not contain meat. The ban will also apply to dairy alternatives.
Fines of up to €300,000 (approximately AU$480,540) will apply to business who do not comply.