An EU vote on whether to restrict such names is due to take place on 11 December
A survey of more than 20,000 people carried out by the independent research organisation, Radar, has found that 96% of Dutch people are not confused by terms such as “veggie sausage”.
The survey has been carried out in the run-up to the 11 December meeting of the EU’s Agrifish Council where Member States are expected to vote on whether to restrict labelling that uses “meaty” names for plant-based foods, despite Europe being the leading plant-based food market globally1.
“This latest survey confirms previous research on this issue, namely that there is no confusion around current labelling practices,” Jasmijn de Boo, Global CEO of ProVeg International, said.
“Banning these terms would be a disadvantage for European farmers who want to diversify and feed into the bloc’s booming plant-based food market which presents them with huge opportunities, particularly in pulse, nut, fungi, and legume production.”
“And it could be costly for the plant-based food industry as well if it has to start relabelling and rebranding products,” she said
“We urge EU policymakers meeting on 11 December to vote against any labelling restrictions. Europe’s growing plant-based market needs to be supported, not hampered by restrictive regulation,” de Boo adds.
Background to labelling proposals
The European Parliament voted in October to restrict the labelling of plant-based foods as “sausages”, “burgers” and other meaty names. The proposal was adopted by 355 votes in favour, 247 against and 30 abstentions.
The Agrifish Council’s vote on the matter is expected to take place at the mid-December meeting, following months of negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council.
ENDS
Footnotes
1. GFI 2024 State of the Industry – Plant-based, https://gfi.org/resource/plant-based-meat-eggs-and-dairy-state-of-the-industry-report
Notes to Editors
For media inquiries, email Peter Rixon at [email protected].
For scientific data about the benefits of plant-based eating, see our Food System Data website.
About ProVeg International
ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation with the mission to replace 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040. Our vision is a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.
