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Can food be called “Güggeli” if it doesn’t contain meat? The federal government says no and goes to federal court.
Can food be called “Güggeli” if it doesn’t contain meat? The Zurich administrative court says yes. The federal government filed an appeal against the decision of the Zurich administrative court last Monday, as reported by the “Tagesanzeiger”.
He is moving the case to federal court. So the name dispute about meat substitutes is entering the next round. But what is actually the problem?
room for interpretation
Alternatives to meat are becoming more popular in Switzerland. Sales have been increasing steadily for years. Compared to the overall market for meat and meat substitute products, however, it is only around three percent.
The start-up Planted based in Lindau (ZH) produces such meat alternatives from pea protein – around 5000 tons per year.
Apart from “100% plant based”, there are also terms such as “planted.chicken” on its packaging.
According to an information letter from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV), it would not be permissible to name animals on meat substitute products. This also applies to plant milk products.
To prevent deception, for example, “vegan mayonnaise” should not be sold under this name. Why the subjunctive? The letter from the FSVO is not legally binding.
The animal in the name is annoying
The legislation leaves room for interpretation. Depending on the interpretation, the consumer is deceived – or not. Now the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), which lodged an appeal, does not agree with the interpretation of the Zurich Administrative Court.
For the Swiss Meat Association (SFF), too, the “chicken” in the name is a clear deception. According to its director Ruedi Hadorn, the association is bothered by the meat-sounding but meatless products. Anyone who is innovative should also be so when it comes to designations.
Why does Planted still write “Chicken” on their packaging? In a specially commissioned study, the start-up was able to show that 93 percent of those surveyed recognized that “planted.chicken” was a vegetarian product. The Zurich Administrative Court also relied on this study.
The information letter from the BLV therefore goes too far, says Judith Wemmer from the Planted management. The cantonal administrative court also made this clear in its judgment.
The wait begins
Planted will continue to sell vegan products under animal labels. According to Wemmer, this is highly dependent on the product. But the goal is that the products “can be used as well as possible by the consumer”.
It may be years before the Federal Supreme Court makes its decision. If it’s on the table, it’s definitely a good thing. Because the question of the labeling of meat substitutes will continue to arise in the future, the Federal Supreme Court’s decision creates legal certainty.