The government's decree is a response to a long-standing complaint by the meat industry that terms like 'vegetarian ham' or 'vegan sausage' were confusing for consumers.

The government’s decree is a response to a long-standing complaint by the meat industry that terms like ‘vegetarian ham’ or ‘vegan sausage’ were confusing for consumers.

The French government issued a decree on Tuesday, February 27, banning the term “steak” on the label of vegetarian products, saying it was reserved for meat alone. Other terms that can no longer be used for meat-free products include “escalope,” “ham,” “filet” and “prime rib,” according to the decree.

The ruling is a response to a long-standing complaint by the meat industry that terms like “vegetarian ham” or “vegan sausage” were confusing for consumers. It is based on a 2020 law whose application was temporarily suspended by the State Council in June 2022 after a complaint from Proteines France, a consortium of French companies selling plant-based food.

  • guy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    593·
    9 months ago

    Much like the words “fake steak” or “not really steak” wouldn’t confuse me into thinking it was really real steak, just because the word “steak” is in there, “vegan steak” doesn’t either, because I’m not incredibly stupid

  • where_am_i@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    417·
    9 months ago

    Just like with vegan cheese, vegan parmesan, vegan milk and so on. How am I supposed to look for substitutes when shopping online or in a supermarket?

    Big fat L, France. Caved in to the meat industry, maybe next you can support Germany in keeping the gasoline cars on the roads for longer.

  • skygirl@lemmy.worldEnglish
    271·
    9 months ago

    No one was confused. The meat industry just successfully lobbied for these word bans because it makes marketing of alternative products more difficult. They’ve been trying to get similar word bans in many countries for years because they think it will improve their bottom line.

    • Dasus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      9·
      9 months ago

      And especially for generic things like sausages… what are they gonna call them, that’s not extremely unappetising?

      “Nutrient tubules”?

      And that’s gonna be less confusing…?

      • skygirl@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        9 months ago

        Discouraging sales of alternative products is the point, they’d love that name haha

  • gaael@lemmy.worldEnglish
    223·
    9 months ago

    No one was ever confused. During this time, a shitty sausage brand puts out “vegetal sausages” made frome peas… and eggs.

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      9 months ago

      “Sausage” is different, in that it implies ground up food stuffed in a casing, but not necessarily meat. For example, consider some of the abominations this guy makes.

      • rmukEnglish
        2·
        9 months ago

        I know what that link is without clicking. Here we go!

        🎵Baaap 🎵Baaap-Baaap 🎵Baaap… 🎵Baaap. Thonk.

  • CubitOom@infosec.pubEnglish
    14·
    9 months ago

    I’m glad that was cleared up. Now how can I tell if my swordfish steak is made from beef or not? Also I need a lot of help with these beefsteak tomatoes.

    • BestBouclettes@jlai.luEnglish
      61·
      9 months ago

      I feel like it’s news worthy to put a light on the unfathomable stupidity of our government.

  • andrewta@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1422·
    9 months ago

    Within lemmy we understand the term vegan ham or vegan steak would mean it isn’t flesh based it’s plant based, but outside of lemmy I can see confusion happening.

    We keep arguing for truth in advertising and truth in labeling.

    While I’m not sure how to label a vegan ham without saying ham. That doesn’t mean there isn’t another term. Let’s try to find that other term and use that term.

    • where_am_i@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      132·
      9 months ago

      Easy. Mandate a massive green V on all vegan products. Now your shills aren’t confused, and other consumers can happily decide if they want milk or a vegan alternative to milk, simply “V milk”.

      • andrewta@lemmy.worldEnglish
        26·
        9 months ago

        So because I know older people that are more easily confused (which happens when you get older), that makes them shills?

        • where_am_i@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          91·
          9 months ago

          reading comprehension is a basic requirement for a functioning society. We can’t design everything around “some old person might get confused by this”.

          • andrewta@lemmy.worldEnglish
            17·
            9 months ago

            So because it’s not a problem for you we shouldn’t try to find a better way.

            Good luck with that.

            • where_am_i@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              41·
              9 months ago

              not allowing to write on a product “this like a steak but vegan” is not a better way. It’s specifically gatekeeping substitutes and slowing down their adoption.

    • CazzoBuco@lemmy.worldEnglish
      112·
      9 months ago

      I’d argue “another term,” is just more bs tactics by the meat conglomerates in an attempt to hurt the vegan market. Claiming people are dumb and can’t read is not an excuse to pass these kinds of laws.

  • Nougat@kbin.social
    418·
    9 months ago

    Finally! You fuckers want to eat “steak,” well you’re going to have it with a delicate murder sauce.