The European Union is set to ban the use of words such as ‘veggie burger’, ‘vegan sausage’, and ‘milk alternative’ in relation to plant-based foods. This is an unnecessary and patronising restriction which will stifle positive change.

 

ProVeg International has today launched a campaign targeting the proposed ban with a petition calling on the soon-to-be-elected European Parliament to reject the proposal, Please sign the petition now to stop this legislation from being passed.

 

WHY STOP THIS BAN?

Harming innovation

The plant-based market is one of the fastest growing market segments and a crucial source of sustainable innovation. Unnecessary restrictions on these products will hamper this positive change.

Sign the petition here.

 

Consumer rights

Consumers interested in plant-based products want to know what they are buying. Sales denominations referring to meat and dairy equivalents provide important information on the taste and uses people can expect from a product.

Sign the petition here.

 

Unnecessary

There is no evidence to suggest consumers are confused or misled by the current labelling of vegetarian and vegan alternative products. To suggest that consumers do not understand the meaning of the word ‘veggie burger’ and other similar terms is an insult to their intelligence.

Sign the petition here.

 

ProVeg UK Executive Director, Philip Mansbridge said: “There is no evidence to suggest that consumers are confused or misled by the current labelling of vegetarian and vegan products. To suggest that consumers do not understand the meaning of the term ‘veggie burger’ and other similar terms is an insult to their intelligence.

 

“The use of ‘burger’, ‘sausage’, and ‘milk’ wording on plant-based products actually serves an important function in communicating characteristics that consumers are looking for when buying plant-based products, especially in terms of taste and texture. They’ve been used successfully for decades. Why confuse matters?

 

“The proposed restriction would also unnecessarily restrict manufacturers, producers, and the positive social and environmental changes created by the plant-based market, one of the fastest-growing and most innovative sectors in the food industry today.”

 

The petition will be delivered to the European Parliament ahead of the final vote.

 

You can sign the petition here.