European Union snack producers face labeling uncertainty

Snack manufacturers are expressing concern over potential legal uncertainty caused by new European Union regulations regarding plant-based products. While rules prohibiting terms like ‘steak’ or ‘chicken’ on vegan meat substitutes were designed to prevent consumer confusion, industry representatives fear these mandates may inadvertently extend to flavored snacks.

The European Snacks Association warns that products such as barbecue-flavored chips, bacon-flavored biscuits, or shrimp-flavored noodles could be caught in a conflict between three different EU regulations: consumer information rules, flavoring regulations, and the existing Common Market Organisation (CMO).

Olivier Devo, spokesperson for the association, noted that the current wording creates ambiguity regarding whether meat-based flavor descriptions fall under the same restrictions as meat substitutes. To address this, an amendment has been proposed by MEP Stephan Keller and members of the European People's Party to include specific exceptions for savory snacks, sauces, and seasonings where meat references describe flavor rather than the product's identity or nutritional value.