Don't call it meat if it's made with plants, France says

The use of meat names like "steak" and "sausage" on plant-based protein food to be banned from October t

The market for plant-based meat-like food has surged, attracting major investment from global agrifood groups hoping to capitalise on a trend towards healthy eating, including less red meat

France will ban from October the use of meat names like "steak" and "sausage" on plant-based protein food, according to a decree published recently, in a bid to avoid confusion over the trendy meat alternatives.

France is the first country in the European Union to impose such a restriction. In 2020, EU lawmakers rejected a similar proposal, backed by farmers. The market for plant-based meat-like food has surged, attracting major investment from global agrifood groups hoping to capitalise on a trend towards healthy eating, including less red meat.