The French Council of State has annulled two government decrees that sought to prohibit plant-based food producers from using terms traditionally associated with animal-based products, such as “steak” and “sausage.” The decision follows a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which found that such national restrictions conflict with European regulations.
“This is a victory of common sense in the face of pressure from intensive livestock farming lobbies”
The legal dispute dates back to 2020, when the French Parliament introduced a law barring the use of meat-related terminology for marketing plant-based products. This was later reinforced by a government decree issued in June 2022, followed by an updated decree in February 2024. However, several companies and professional associations challenged these restrictions, arguing they were incompatible with EU law.
Before making its final ruling, the Council of State sought clarification from the CJEU. In October 2023, the European Court determined that EU regulations comprehensively govern the labelling of plant-based foods, preventing individual Member States from imposing additional national restrictions on descriptive food names. This ruling provided the foundation for the French court’s decision to invalidate the contested decrees.

Last year, enforcement of the 2022 decree had already been temporarily suspended after multiple plant-based food companies, including French alternative protein brand La Vie, filed legal challenges. With the latest ruling, plant-based food manufacturers in France will be able to continue using commonly understood names, such as “soy steak” or “vegetable sausage,” in product marketing and labelling.
Victory of common sense
Reacting to the decision, La Vie CEO Nicolas Schweitzer stated, “We have just written the final chapter of a legal saga that will go down in history. This is a victory of common sense in the face of pressure from intensive livestock farming lobbies. We are happy to continue calling our products by their names, without compromise or absurdity,” according to Retail Detail EU.
The ruling reflects further trends in the European plant-based sector, where regulatory disputes over labelling continue to unfold. While proponents of stricter naming conventions argue that such terms could mislead consumers, plant-based food companies maintain that commonly used descriptors provide clarity on product usage and function. The decision is expected to have implications beyond France, reinforcing the legal precedent set by the CJEU regarding the regulation of plant-based food labelling across the EU.
La Vie commented on the annulment on social media, referring to the legal outcome as a triumph over powerful industry interests: “After years of fierce legal struggle, it is finally David who defeats Goliath. Your favourite products will be able to keep their little names, those that clearly help you understand their use.”