Processed plant-based and cultured products are still quite nascent in India, though we are making strides. Meanwhile, the West has been at it for a while, especially the fast food sector. This article examines labelling regulations for plant-based meat products in foreign jurisdictions and highlight the need for plant-based meat labelling regulations in India.

Sales of plant-based meat grew by 31% between 2017 and 2019 in the United States. In striking contrast, sales of traditional meat grew by 5%.1 The Impossible Whopper alone drove sales at Burger King by 3.5%. Traditional meat companies are paying attention. Unsurprisingly, the labelling of plant-based meat products is a source of tension. The traditionalists argue that calling plant-based products’ meat’ or other meat-related terms is misleading to customers. They say that customers expect to eat animal meat when they buy such products. While India has not yet witnessed controversy around plant-based meats, the debate around the nomenclature of plant-based dairy alternatives has already arrived on our shores.

In this article, authors examine the state of regulations in other jurisdictions. They argue that Indian regulators must recognise that ambiguity in labelling standards would increase compliance costs, reduce efficiency and hinder the growth of the alternative protein sector that promises to provide food security without the environmental cost that burdens the traditional meat industries.

Labelling regulations for plant-based meat products

The European Union

The European Union’s approach to plant-based food labelling has evolved beyond the 2017 European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling, which reserved dairy designations such as “milk”, “yoghurt” and “cream” for products meeting the legal definitions of dairy foods. That ruling did not address meat-related names.

In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that EU food-information law prevents member states from imposing national bans on customary meat-related names for foods containing plant proteins. Following this decision, France’s Conseil d’État annulled two decrees restricting terms such as “steak” and “sausage” for plant-based products in January 2025.

However, the position changed again in 2026. The European Parliament approved new legislation in June, followed by the Council’s formal adoption on 29 June. The measures reserve the term “meat” and specified names, including “beef”, “chicken”, “steak”, “ribs” and “bacon”, for meat products. The Council states that the new meat-designation rules will apply after a three-year transition period. Manufacturers selling in the EU will need to review product names and packaging ahead of implementation.

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The United States

In the United States, plant-based meat labelling remains affected by state-level laws and litigation. Several states have enacted restrictions on meat-related terms, while legal challenges have questioned whether such restrictions violate constitutional protections for commercial speech. Court rulings and subsequent changes to state laws have produced a varied regulatory landscape.

For manufacturers operating across state borders, this creates added compliance work. Clear qualifiers such as “plant-based” or “vegan” can help consumers identify the product, but businesses must check the specific requirements and current legal status in each market. A single national approach would reduce uncertainty for manufacturers and retailers.

Other Markets

Plant-based labelling requirements vary significantly across markets. Singapore requires explicit qualifiers such as “mock” or “plant-based” on pre-packaged alternative-protein products. The EU permits plant-based foods to use familiar terms such as “burger” or “sausage,” provided labelling is accurate and not misleading; the CJEU has confirmed that Member States cannot impose blanket bans on such descriptive names absent a specific legal name.

In the UK, “vegan” claims must be accurate and not misleading, with cross-contamination risks disclosed where relevant. Australia and New Zealand follow FSANZ’s general labelling code, with Australia now developing a voluntary industry code to improve clarity and prominence of plant-based qualifiers.

Plant-based product labelling requirements in different countires

Country/regionKey labelling approachPractical requirement
SingaporeSFA requires qualifying terms for pre-packaged alternative-protein products.Use descriptors such as “mock,” “plant-based” or “cultured”; a plant-based patty should be labelled “plant-based patty” or “mock meat patty.”
European UnionNo EU-wide ban on terms such as “burger” or “sausage” for plant-based foods; labels must not mislead consumers.Use an accurate legal/customary name, full ingredient list, allergen and nutrition information; voluntary vegetarian/vegan suitability information is also recognised under the Food Information Regulation. The CJEU has held that Member States cannot impose a blanket ban on names such as “steak” or “sausage” for plant-protein foods where no specific legal name exists. eur-lex.europa+1
United KingdomThere is no statutory definition of “vegan,” but labels must be accurate and not misleading.A “vegan” claim means no animal-origin ingredients were intentionally used; it does not guarantee absence of traces. If cross-contamination risk exists, use precautionary allergen labelling such as “may contain.” gov
United StatesFDA focuses on accurate naming and consumer understanding, particularly for plant-based milk alternatives.“Soy milk” and “almond milk” are accepted common names. If a product uses “milk” and differs nutritionally from dairy milk, FDA recommends a voluntary nutrient-comparison statement; the guidance is draft and non-binding. fda+2
IndiaFSSAI distinguishes vegetarian and vegan foods and has a formal vegan-logo endorsement process.Vegan food must meet FSSAI packaging/labelling rules, be stored/displayed separately from non-vegan food, and use the approved vegan logo after Form-B approval and endorsement. General labels must also carry the vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol and colour code. fssai.gov+3
Australia and New ZealandFSANZ applies general Food Standards Code labelling rules; there is no single binding rule reserving meat terms exclusively for animal meat.Labels must accurately identify the food and comply with ingredient, allergen, nutrition and date-marking requirements. Australia is developing a voluntary industry code to improve consistency by making plant-based qualifiers more prominent, discouraging animal imagery and limiting meat-specific terminology. apps.fas.usda+2

Initiatives from the Alternative Protein Sector

In the United States, a coalition of actors including plant-based meat companies and policy advocacy organizations have filed lawsuits in federal courts in Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas asserting that their label censorship laws violate commercial speech protected under the First Amendment to the US Constitution. They say consumers know exactly what to expect when purchasing a ‘veggie burger’ or a ‘vegan sausage’. Therefore, to now prohibit accurate labelling that highlights both the similarity and provides information on the plant-based ingredients would violate First Amendment (free speech) rights.

These lawsuits have met with some success. The District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas granted a preliminary injunction against the State of Arkansas, holding that the legislation likely fails on First Amendment grounds. Labels such as ‘sausage’, ‘hot dog’ or ‘burger’ were held to be neither misleading nor inaccurate so long as clarifying labels like ‘vegan’ that inform customers of the plant-based nature of the product are present.

Moreover, it was held that less restrictive means than a complete prohibition could have been used to advance the state interest of protecting consumer interests. A similar lawsuit against the State of Mississippi led to the state amending its regulations allowing plant-based meat products to use meat terms on their labels so long as the plant-based nature of the product was clear. Therefore, it appears that the free speech argument has traction in the United States, and these lawsuits may prevent other states from adopting a similar complete prohibition on labelling. However, the risk of incoherent regulations remains.

Studies have shown that labels that emphasise the ‘clean’ or environmentally conscious nature of these products make them more attractive to consumers, who are increasingly conscious of and uncomfortable with the growing environmental and ethical concerns that accompany their dietary preferences. However, it still remains to be seen whether labelling bans have any definitive impact on demand for alternative proteins.11 What is clear is that regulators must work together to craft uniform, consistent regulations that do not disadvantage new entrants to the food market while protecting reasonable consumer interests.

Indian regulators must recognise that ambiguity in labelling standards would increase compliance costs, reduce efficiency and hinder the growth of the alternative protein sector that promises to provide food security without the environmental cost that burdens the traditional meat industries.

To understand the broader implications of food regulations and their impact on innovation, you can explore topics like Labelling of Plant-Based Meats and Meat and Poultry Processing Industry in India.

Indian Scenario

In India, many startups like GoodDot, Urban Platter, Blue Tribe Foods, Vezlay, and others, as well as larger existing players12 are manufacturing and selling plant-based meat and dairy products. There is no separate regulation or guidelines that govern plant-based dairy or meat products in India. However, the products are subject to omnibus labelling requirements that all food products have to comply with.13

Therefore, plant-based meat products should be labelled and packaged with full disclosure about the origin (i.e., plant-based), and features. The labelling should clearly signify that the product does not contain animal meat. For example, the name of the product may include qualifiers indicating the source, such as “plant-based” or “soy-meat”. Organizations can also use pictorial representations on the packaging to show that the product does not contain animal meat.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates vegan foods under the Food Safety and Standards (Vegan Foods) Regulations, 2022. Its published guidance restricts the use of terms associated with meat products alongside the word “vegan”, including names such as vegan salami and vegan sausage. This creates challenges for businesses seeking to communicate product similarity while complying with labelling requirements. FSSAI’s vegan food regulations and guidance.

Dairy alternatives face a separate set of requirements. FSSAI has defined dairy analogues under its existing regulations and has taken steps to address their identification and labelling. In April 2025, it issued a consultation paper on compliance with dairy analogue provisions, following concerns that such products were being sold or presented as conventional dairy products. The focus is on ensuring that consumers can distinguish products made from milk from those in which non-milk ingredients replace some or all milk constituents. Read FSSAI’s 2025 consultation paper.

Clear and consistent labelling rules are essential for the industry’s growth. FSSAI should provide practical guidance on product names, ingredient declarations and comparative claims, while ensuring that consumers are not misled. Clear rules would also help manufacturers reduce compliance uncertainty and develop products with greater confidence.

India needs a regulatory approach that protects consumers without placing avoidable constraints on food innovation. Transparent labels, clear product definitions and consistent enforcement can support the development of alternative proteins while maintaining consumer trust.

The following section contains our recommendations for India.

Recommendations

The FSSAI must come up with specific guidelines for plant-based meat products and allow the existing naming conventions followed by the industry to continue:

  • The FSSAI can consider the use of qualifiers (such as ‘plant-based’) in the names of products; the use of qualifiers or compound names helps consumers to identify the true nature of the product.
  • In doing so, the FSSAI should interact with the stakeholders while deciding upon guidelines for plant-based meat products; the task force can invite suggestions/proposals from the stakeholders for a regulatory framework for plant-based meat products.
  • The FSSAI could educate and sensitize consumers to familiarize them with plant-based meat products.

By addressing these challenges, India can become a leader in the global plant-based food market, much like the advancements highlighted in Inaugural Plant-Based Foods Summit Concluded and Plant-Based Foods Movement Gains Momentum.

FAQs on Plant-Based Meats and Their Regulations

  1. What are plant-based meats?

    Plant-based meats are alternatives to traditional meat products made from plant-derived ingredients, designed to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of animal meat.

  2. Why is labeling of plant-based meats a controversial issue?

    Traditional meat industries argue that using terms like “meat” for plant-based products is misleading, while plant-based advocates emphasize transparency and consumer clarity.

  3. What regulations govern plant-based meat labeling in the European Union?

    The EU prohibits the use of dairy-related terms for plant-based products and allows limited use of meat-related terms based on similarity to animal meat products.

  4. How does India regulate plant-based meat labeling?

    India currently lacks specific regulations for plant-based meat, but draft notifications suggest restrictions on using dairy-related terms for plant-based alternatives.

  5. What steps can Indian regulators take to support the plant-based food sector?

    Indian regulators should introduce clear guidelines, allow the use of qualifiers, and engage with industry stakeholders to promote innovation and consumer transparency.

References

  1. 2019 U.S. State of the Industry Report Plant-Based Meat, Eggs, and Dairy, The Good Food Institute, page 9, available at
  2. Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb eV vTofuTown.com  GmbH, Case C-422/16, paragraph 52, available at http://curia. europa.eu/juris/document document.jsf?text=&docid= 191704&pageIndex= 0&doclang=EN&mode= lst&dir=&occ=first&part= 1&cid=114415; Also see EU court bans dairy-style names for soya and tofu, BBC News, 14 June, 2017, available at https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40274645
  3. Supra note 2, paragraph 23.
  4. Supra note 2, paragraph 24.
  5. Susanne Karow, Germany: New guidelines for designating vegan and vegetarian products with meat related terms – Will food designations like “vegetarian salami” become soon inadmissible?, Hogan Lovells, 28 March, 2019, available at https://www.hlregulation.com/2019/03/28/germany-new-guidelines-for-designating-vegan-and-vegetarian-products-with-meat-related-terms-will-food-designations-like-vegetarian-salami- become-soon-inadmissible/
  6. Sachstandsbericht: Temporärer Fachausschuss für “vegane und vegetarische Lebensmittel”
  7. Antony Froggatt and Laura Wellesley, Meat Analogues: Considerations for the EU, Chatham House, February 2019, page 27, available at https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/2019-02-18MeatAnalogues3.pdf.
  8. Amendment 171 off the table, Food Navigator; https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/05/26/Europe-drops-Amendment-171-allowing-for-creamy-and-buttery-plant-based-dairy
  9. Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013- A8-0198/2019 available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu /doceo/document/A-8-20190198_EN.pdf# page=172
  10. European Parliament News: Are veggie burgers or toku steaks going to be banned? 23 October 2020 available at https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20201019BKG89682/eu-farm-policy-reform-as-approved-by-meps/7/are-veggie-burgers-or-tofu-steaks-going-to-be-banned
  11. Caroline Beret, Soy Milk vs. E.U. Law: Who’s Really Harmed by Labeling Bans?, Medium, 22 March, 2019, available at https://medium.com/@animalcharityev/soy-milk-vs-e-u-law-whos-really-harmed-by-labeling-bans-1d8cd05b595c.
  12. https://www.thehersheycompany.com/en_in/sofit.html; http://borges.in/
  13. FSSAI Display and Labelling Regulations, 2021; https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/notifications/2020/12/5fd87c6a0f6adGazette_ Notification_Labelling_Display_14_12_2020.pdf
  14. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/fssai-constitutes-task-force-on-vegan-food/article32631276.ece
  15. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2020;Draft_Notification _Dairy_Analogue_30_07_2020.pdf (fssai.gov.in) (Draft Notification)
  16. “Dairy terms” means names, designations, symbols, pictorial or other devices which refer to or are suggestive, directly or indirectly, of milk or milk products, Clause 2.1.1.1(c), Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011; https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Food _Additives_Regulations_ 08_09_2020-compressed.pdf
  17. The Draft Notification defines ‘dairy analogue’ as “an imitation product that is designed or structured to mimic, or offered as an alternative/replacement to, a milk or milk product or composite milk product as defined in these regulations by partial or full substitution of selected milk components with other components from non-dairy sources,or prepared by using non-dairy ingredient(s) exclusively or in combination with dairy ingredients.”Ikigai Law and Good Food Institute’s joint representation on the FSSAI Draft Dairy Analogue Notification 2020 https://www.ikigailaw.com/ikigai-law-and-good-food-institutes-joint-representation-on-the-fssai-draft-dairy-analogue-notification-2020/

This article is written by the team at Ikigai Law with inputs from the Good Food Institute India. They can be reached at contact@ikigailaw.com

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