From October onwards, France will ban the use of meat-related terms including “steak” and “sausage” on plant-based foods.

According to the official Government directive “It will not be possible to use sector-specific terminology traditionally associated with meat and fish to designate products that do not belong to the animal world and which, in essence, are not comparable.”  The regulation will apply only to products made in France leading to criticism that imports could still be marketed that contravene the regulation.

Europe has banned the use of descriptors including “milk”, “butter” and presumably “eggs” on products that are not of animal origin.

The labeling policy introduced by France will probably be followed by other EU nations. The extent of regulation will depending on the strength of lobbying by animal production groups and their opponents advocating alternative products based on welfare and sustainability.