In a recent development, the French government’s ban on plant-based meat producers using terms like “burger” or “sausage” has been overturned by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on October 4. This ban was initially put in place to protect livestock farmers, but the CJEU has ruled that EU member states cannot impose such prohibitions without established legal definitions.

According to reports from AFP, the court highlighted that terms commonly used cannot be restricted without clear legal guidelines. This follows France’s regulations enacted in 2022 and again in February of this year, which limited the use of terms such as “ham,” “burger,” “sausage,” and “bacon” to products derived from animals. The French authorities argued that these measures were important to avoid confusing consumers.

French livestock farmers have been strong proponents of these limitations, and in reaction to the court’s ruling, their lobbying group expressed significant frustration, criticizing the CJEU’s decision. Interbev, the association representing the French meat and livestock industry, strongly opposed the court’s ruling, arguing that it allows ultra-processed foods to invade the market for natural products.

Conversely, plant protein manufacturers had contested the French government’s ban, leading the French Council of State to suspend it while awaiting the CJEU’s verdict. After the ruling, La Vie, a producer of plant-based meat in France, celebrated the CJEU’s decision as a “welcomed victory,” with their lawyer pointing out that terms like “plant-based burger” and “veggie burger” have been in use for 40 years.

The appeal to the CJEU received support from organizations such as the Vegetarian Association of France and the European Vegetarian Union, underscoring the broader push for clarity and fairness in labeling within the food industry.