French Court Suspends Government Ban on Use of Meat-Related Terms on Plant-Based Food

France's top administrative court has suspended the government's ban on the use of meat-related terms on plant-based food products. The ban, which was set to come into effect on May 1, aimed to restrict terms like 'steak' and 'ham' on meat analogues in support of the country's livestock farming industry. However, the court found "serious doubt" about the legality of the ban and allowed producers to continue using such terms on plant-based products.

This decision marks the second time the Conseil d'État has suspended such a ban, with the first being in 2022. The court's ruling highlights concerns raised by vegan food manufacturers over the ban's impact on their financial interests and the potential harm it could cause to the plant-based industry. The court has requested guidance from the European Court of Justice on the legality of the ban under EU law, keeping the ban suspended until further clarification is provided.