French court overturns ban on meat-related terms for plant-based foods

In a landmark ruling on 28 January 2025, France’s Conseil d'État, the country’s highest administrative court, annulled government decrees that prohibited plant-based food companies from using meat-related terms such as 'steak', 'sausage', and 'burger' for non-animal products. This decision represents a major victory for plant-based food manufacturers and aligns with a growing European consensus on labeling regulations for alternative proteins.

The overturned bans were introduced as part of legislation aimed at protecting the traditional meat sector. In June 2022, the French government issued a decree restricting the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products, arguing that such language could mislead consumers into thinking they were purchasing animal-derived goods. A revised version of the decree was introduced in February 2024, providing a specific list of banned terms and outlining penalties for companies that failed to comply. The measures were widely supported by livestock and meat industry groups, which claimed that allowing plant-based products to use such terminology undermined consumer understanding and the cultural heritage of French gastronomy.

However, these restrictions faced immediate opposition from the plant-based industry and consumer advocacy groups. Companies producing alternative proteins argued that these terms had been in widespread use for years and that consumers were not confused by them. Several lawsuits were filed, challenging the legal basis of the decree and arguing that it conflicted with European Union law, which maintains authority over food labeling regulations across member states.

The dispute eventually led the Conseil d'État to seek guidance from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which ruled in October 2023 that EU law supersedes national legislation in cases where food labeling is already regulated at the European level. The court determined that unless there was an explicit EU-wide ban on the use of meat-related terms for plant-based foods, individual member states could not impose additional restrictions. This ruling became a pivotal factor in the Conseil d'État’s decision to overturn France’s decrees, citing their incompatibility with EU law.

The decision is being celebrated by French plant-based food producers and international alternative protein companies. Nicolas Schweitzer, CEO of La Vie, a leading French plant-based brand, called the ruling a major victory against pressure from the traditional meat industry. “We have just written the final chapter of a legal saga that will go down in history. This is a victory of common sense in the face of pressure from intensive livestock farming lobbies. We are happy to continue calling our products by their names, without compromise or absurdity,” Schweitzer said.

Similarly, HappyVore CEO Guillaume Dubois welcomed the decision, stating that clarity and fairness had prevailed. He emphasized that the ruling allows plant-based brands to compete in the marketplace on equal terms, without artificial barriers imposed by industry lobbying.

The decision also has broader implications beyond France. The CJEU’s ruling establishes a precedent that restricts individual EU countries from enacting their own unilateral bans on plant-based food labeling. This means that other countries considering similar measures, such as Spain and Italy, will now face legal obstacles if they attempt to restrict plant-based companies from using commonly understood meat-related terms.

However, the debate over plant-based labeling is unlikely to end here. The CJEU’s ruling left room for interpretation, stating that if a country establishes legal definitions for both meat and plant-based alternatives and applies restrictions only to domestically produced goods, such labeling bans could be considered legal. This means France or other EU member states may attempt to introduce revised restrictions that comply with these conditions.

French meat industry groups have already indicated that they will push for new legislation that adheres to the legal framework outlined by the CJEU. The National Livestock Federation (Fédération Nationale Bovine) stated that they will work with the government to find ways to reintroduce stricter rules that preserve the identity of traditional meat products. A spokesperson for the French Meat Interprofessional Association (INTERBEV) warned that allowing plant-based products to use meat-related terms risks “further blurring the lines for consumers” and weakening protections for livestock farmers.

Meanwhile, plant-based food manufacturers argue that the market has already adapted, with consumers understanding the difference between plant-based and conventional meat. They point out that alternative proteins are now a mainstream category and that attempts to restrict their labeling serve no real purpose other than protecting meat industry interests.

This ruling comes at a time when plant-based food consumption continues to grow in France and across Europe. While France has traditionally been a stronghold of conventional meat consumption, the country has seen a steady rise in demand for plant-based alternatives, driven by younger consumers and increased awareness of environmental and health concerns. Supermarkets across France now offer a wide range of plant-based burgers, sausages, and deli slices, and several major food brands have expanded their plant-based portfolios in response to consumer trends.

The French government’s attempt to restrict plant-based labeling was one of the most aggressive efforts in Europe, making this court decision especially significant. The ruling sends a clear message that attempts to legislate against plant-based terminology must align with EU law, preventing member states from creating unnecessary barriers to market entry.