The French Conseil d'Etat has temporarily halted a decree that would prohibit plant-based products from being labeled with names typically associated with meat, such as steak or ham. The regulation, originally set to take effect on May 1, was suspended following multiple requests from plant-based companies.

The Conseil d’Etat and plant-based food producers maintain that the decree could cause economic harm. Rebranding efforts could potentially lead to significant reductions in turnover for companies primarily selling these products. In the interim, the legitimacy of such a ban is under scrutiny, awaiting input from the European Court of Justice.

Analyst QuickTake : The plant-based meat labeling decrees in France have sparked significant debate and legal challenges, highlighting the complexities surrounding the regulation of food labeling in the alternative protein industry. This suspension follows the submission and passing of a revised proposal after suspending the initial proposal in July 2022 .