The initiative, led by Spain and supported by the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, and Romania, reflects growing concern over the increasing presence of plant-based products on the EU food market that mimic the appearance, taste, and texture of animal-based foods. These products are often labeled using names traditionally associated with animal origin, potentially confusing consumers about their true composition.
While the dairy sector already enjoys strong legal protection under Regulation (EU) No. 1308/2013, which reserves terms like “milk,” “cheese,” and “yogurt” exclusively for dairy products, there is currently no equivalent regulation for meat, eggs, honey, or other animal-origin foods at the EU level.
The 12 countries are urging the Commission to introduce legislation that would ensure EU-wide protection of traditional animal-based food names, preventing them from being used by purely plant-based alternatives. They argue this measure is necessary to uphold consumer transparency, prevent misleading labeling, and safeguard the cultural and commercial value of traditional food terminology.
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