VB.2022.00270 dated 10 November 2022

16 December 2022 – In an inspection report dated 14 May 2021, the the Cantonal Laboratory Zurich, had ordered the plaintiff to refrain from using the terms "planted.chicken", "like chicken", "like pork", "pulled pork", "vegan pig" or "chicken from plants" to describe its vegan products. According to the Cantonal Laboratory Zurich, these descriptions were likely to be misleading and violate Articles 18 and 19 of the Federal Act on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles (FSA). The opponent then appealed to the cantonal Directorate of Health, which rejected the appeal after which the plaintiff appealed to the Administrative Court of the canton of Zurich on 9 May 2022.

The court concluded that there was no danger of deception and approved the appeal. When the terms "vegetarian" or "vegan" are used in connection with animal names, they indicate a replacement product and not a meat product originating from a vegetarian or vegan fed animal. The terms "like chicken" or "like pork" explain the intended use of the food.

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