Swiss Court Rules Vegan Meat Labels Not ‘Deceptive’ To Shoppers

The Swiss Administrative Court ruled that plant-based food company Planted Foods is not deceiving consumers with their use of "meaty" terms on their packaging. The court found that terms like "chicken" on vegan products are not misleading, as the labels also clearly indicate that the products are vegan or vegetarian. This decision overturns a mandate from the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory that instructed Planted Foods to stop using animal meat monikers on their packaging.

In other countries like France and South Africa, attempts to implement bans on "meaty" vegan labels have faced opposition. The Conseil d’Etat in France revoked a ban on plant-based manufacturers using meaty terms on their products, and a similar ban in South Africa was paused by the Johannesburg High Court. These cases highlight the ongoing debate over food labeling regulations for plant-based products and the importance of clear communication to consumers.