Key facts:
- The UE parliament rejected this week a proposal to ban the use of “steak” or “sausage” for plant-based alternatives.
- Led by the meat industry, the proposal has faced a coalition of plant-based startups, corporations, and associations.
Why it matters – DigitalFoodLab’s opinion:
Many had expected the opposite result. Indeed lobbies repressing the interest meat industry surround the European parliament. This surprising result can be analyzed as a victory and a demonstration of the strength of the plant-based camp. It has become much more structured with new lobbies and trade organizations such as a new plant-based food association led by Nestlé, Beyond Meat, and the Good Food Institute.
Some countries have been faster. For instance, France, always the paragon of regulation, has created its own rule earlier this year. This will not help local startups in their effort to grow and in their coming fight with US giants.
