There is a growing argument over naming plant-based products, such as plant-based sausages and vegeburgers. The Association of Butchers and Producers of Processed Meat of the Republic of Poland, along with 12 other organisations, have sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski, requesting that meat terminology be reserved for animal-based products only. The deli meat producers are apprehensive about labelling plant-based products, as it may confuse consumers.

According to a report by Strategy&, the average Pole consumes more meat than people in other OECD and EU countries. However, an increasing number of people in Poland are turning to plant-based alternatives and giving up meat altogether. This trend has led to the food service industry adapting to the needs of vegetarians and vegans.

The producers of deli meat have written a letter to draw attention to a draft regulation which they claim does not cover all the popular names of meat products such as sausages, burgers or kabanosy. They argue that the regulation should account for the diversity of domestic meat products and not discriminate against small producers who create unique specialities based on local traditions and recipes.

As a result of these concerns, Polish processed meat producers have suggested introducing similar regulations to those in France, where maximum permissible amounts of vegetable protein in meat products are set. They say this will help preserve the integrity of meat names while still allowing the market for plant-based products to grow.

The matter is now with the Ministry of Agriculture, which is expected to decide whether to amend the labelling and protection of meat names. Meanwhile, ProVeg Poland encourages people to voice their opposition to the ban on "meat names" for plant products by emailing sekretariat.dej@minrol.gov.pl.

Source: Salon24