Dutch Food Regulator Bans Use of ‘Plant-Based Mince’ on Product Labels, Citing A 1998 Law

The Dutch government’s food regulator has banned the use of the term 'plant-based mince' on ground meat alternative products, citing a 1998 law that protected the designation for animal proteins. This decision has caused confusion and frustration among plant-based companies, as the law was not intended to apply to plant-based products that were virtually non-existent at the time of its publication. The move has sparked calls for the government to modernize and clarify labeling laws to accommodate the growing plant-based industry and consumer demand for alternative protein options.

The ban on 'plant-based mince' comes amidst a push by the Dutch government to increase the consumption of plant-based proteins in the country. The Green Protein Alliance, representing supermarkets and meat-free producers, has called for dialogue with the government and food regulator to find a solution that allows the plant-based industry to continue labeling their products in a way that is clear to consumers and supports the national goal of a protein transition by 2030.