{"id":121120,"date":"2024-12-03T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T07:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veganok.com\/en\/?p=121120"},"modified":"2024-12-03T15:11:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T14:11:34","slug":"vegan-cheese-under-attack-veganok-and-safe-advocate-for-a-fairer-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veganok.com\/en\/vegan-cheese-under-attack-veganok-and-safe-advocate-for-a-fairer-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegan Cheese Under Attack: VEGANOK and SAFE Advocate for a Fairer Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rome, 03\/12\/2024<\/span><\/p>\n

VEGANOK, the leading certification body for vegan products in Italy, is championing a collective effort to defend the plant-based sector against growing restrictions on descriptive terms such as “vegan cheese.” In partnership with Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE)<\/strong>, a Brussels-based non-profit dedicated to consumer rights and sustainable food policies, VEGANOK is leading a working group that unites major vegan organisations across Europe<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

A strategic Position Paper for advocacy and the sector’s future<\/h2>\n

The initiative promoted by VEGANOK and SAFE aims to draft a Position Paper<\/strong> to support advocacy efforts with European institutions. This document will raise policymakers’ awareness of the restrictions on descriptive terms<\/strong> and serve as a strategic tool for businesses, associations, and the media. It will foster fairer policies and encourage constructive dialogue about the future of the plant-based market in line with the EU\u2019s sustainability goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

A growing sector under attack: the Italian case and the European context<\/h2>\n

The urgency of this collective action has been heightened by the recent case of <\/strong><\/span>Caseificio Vegano di Barbara Ferrante & C.<\/i><\/strong>, a vegan cheese producer in Bologna, which the Italian Ministry of Agriculture warned for using the word “cheese” to describe its plant-based products. This incident reflects a broader trend of restrictive regulations across Europe, penalising the plant-based sector, hindering its growth, and limiting access to sustainable products.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Regulation (EU) No 1308\/2013<\/strong>, terms like “cheese” are legally reserved for dairy products derived exclusively from animal milk. As a result, plant-based alternatives cannot use these terms, even when clearly accompanied by qualifiers such as “vegan” or “plant-based.”<\/strong> In some EU member states, including Italy and France, this principle has been extended to “meat-sounding” terms like “burger” or “sausage,” creating additional barriers for plant-based products that emulate meat.<\/p>\n

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Such restrictions make it difficult for companies to describe their products in ways that are clear to consumers<\/strong> and conflict with the European Green Deal\u2019s objectives of promoting sustainable eating habits and transitioning to environmentally friendly alternatives.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sauro Martella, Founder of VEGANOK: “A fight for the sector\u2019s future”<\/h2>\n

“Our commitment isn\u2019t just about defending words\u2014it\u2019s about ensuring that the plant-based sector can grow without unnecessary and unjustified obstacles,” <\/span><\/i>says Sauro Martella, founder of VEGANOK and initiator of the SAFE working group.<\/span>
\n“Current regulations fail to account for the genuine needs of consumers and the potential of an ethical and innovative market that is helping build a more sustainable future. We are advocating for a Europe that values transparency, supports innovation, and facilitates the transition to a fairer and more responsible food system.”
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VEGANOK and SAFE: united for consumers and sustainability<\/h2>\n

The SAFE working group addresses critical issues for the sector\u2019s future:<\/p>\n