Another absurd attack on plant-based food manufacturers

This ridiculous proposal first reared its head in 2018, when French MPs voted through a bill banning companies from using ‘meat-like words’ to describe vegan and vegetarian products.

Whilst there were some issues in pushing the law through, it now it appears that these proposals will once again make their way to the French parliament. French agricultural Minister, Marc Fesneau, says that using such labels is misleading. But this is simply not true. There is no evidence to show that consumers pick up meat-free sausages, for example, which clearly state ‘Vegan Sausages’, and think thata the product contains meat.

The meat industry in many countries has long fought to prevent plant-based foods being described using such words, again claiming that consumers find them confusing. The meat industry either thinksconsumers are so unintelligent that they regularly mistake vegan products for meat, or the industry is cynically creating obstacles in an attempt to stifle a growing plant-based market. It is likely the latter.

The reality is that nobody finds vegan food labels which have words like ‘plant-based steak’ confusing or misleading. Instead of bowing to the powerful meat lobby, the French government – and indeed all governments – should embrace vegan food and plant-based eating. It is now undeniable that adopting a plant-based diet is one of the single most effective things an individual can do to reduce their impact upon the planet.