What’s a burger, sausage or a steak? European Union court rules can legally be used in marketing vegan products

Credit: Organic Boosting
Credit: Organic Boosting

The news that France or any member state can’t ban meaty terms in plant-based food labels has given [the] industry a lot to chew over.

The words burger, sausage, and steak may have distinct meanings to some, however, the EU’s Top Court ruled that these same words are now legal names for vegan marketing. The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that France or any Member State cannot prohibit using “terms traditionally associated with animal products” for plant-based alternatives, provided the ingredients are clearly shown on labels.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

The EU court’s ruling is a boost for plant-based businesses [that] can market their products confidently. As plant-based products continue to evolve, legal frameworks will need to adapt to these new realities. For now, the EU has sent a clear message: plant-based foods have a right to compete, using terms familiar to consumers.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosate—the world's most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

Picture1
The FDA couldn’t find a vaccine safety crisis, so it buried its own research
Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-12.21.32-PM
Viewpoint: Why the retracted Monsanto glyphosate study doesn’t change the science—the world’s most popular herbicide is safe 
ChatGPT-Image-May-7-2026-12_32_36-PM
Viewpoint: The state of U.S. vaccine policy? Dismal nationally, but some states are stepping up.
placebo
Viewpoint — Alternative medicine and the placebo effect: Selling a reassuring illusion of health
Screenshot-2026-04-13-at-1.39.26-PM
Viewpoint: ‘Safer for children?’ Stonyfield yogurt under fire for deceptive organic marketing
Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-10.46.29-AM
Viewpoint: How to counter science disinformation? Science journalist offers 12 practical tips
_20250221_nib_rfk_trump
Viewpoint: 'Crisis of public trust': Autism support community shocked RFK continues to peddle false claims about the danger of vaccines
ChatGPT-Image-May-18-2026-01_45_05-PM-2
Newest hantavirus conspiracy: Online disinformation turns outbreak into latest ivermectin grift
the magic of mRNA
Viewpoint: Anti-vax fake ‘turbo cancer’ claims threaten cancer treatment breakthroughs
ChatGPT-Image-May-7-2026-12_16_37-PM-2
Viewpoint: Are cancer rates ‘skyrocketing’ as RFK, Jr. and MAHA claim? The evidence says mostly the opposite
artificial intelligence brain think illustration md
Viewpoint — Digital gods and human extinction: Will we be the first species ever to design our own descendants?
Defense_Secretary_Ash_Carter_tours_the_Microsoft_Cybercrime_Center_in_Seattle_March_3_2016
How criminals are using AI to target social media users and steal their money and confidential data
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.