EU Court Rules on Plant-Based Burger Labeling in Landmark Decision

In a significant ruling by the European Court of Justice, plant-based products can once again use terms like 'burger' and 'steak' for labeling, overturning a 2022 French law that prohibited such terminology. The case was initiated by the Vegetarian Association of France and the European Vegetarian Union, who challenged the national law that aimed to prevent consumer confusion regarding the nutritional value of plant-based alternatives. The court determined that many meat-related terms are descriptive rather than legally defined names, thus making the French law incompatible with EU regulations. This decision is particularly important for the plant-based sector, which has faced challenges due to a lack of infrastructure and capital for growth. The ruling provides clarity on labeling, potentially alleviating competitive disadvantages against traditional meat products. The plant-based market in Italy, valued at over 640 million euros, has been growing, indicating a rising consumer interest in alternative protein sources despite regulatory hurdles in various countries.