The Dutch Central Bureau for the Food Trade (CBL) is urging the European Parliament to reconsider its proposed ban on using meat-like names for plant-based products. The CBL argues that clear and recognizable names for these products are crucial in encouraging consumers to choose more plant-based options and accelerate the protein transition. They believe that the ban could stifle innovation and reduce market potential by discouraging producers from investing in plant-based products that resemble meat.

Research cited by the CBL shows that the majority of Dutch consumers understand that plant-based products with meat-like names do not contain actual meat. The organization is calling on the European Parliament to rethink the ban and for the Dutch government to advocate for this position in Brussels. With the Netherlands leading the way in the protein transition, the CBL emphasizes the importance of maintaining familiar names for plant-based products to facilitate consumer behavior change and make it easier for people to switch to more sustainable options.