In a significant victory for the plant-based food industry, an Austrian court has dismissed a lawsuit brought against Revo Foods by the Vienna City Council concerning the labeling of its “Revo Salmon – 100 percent plant-based with pea protein” product.

The lawsuit alleged that Revo Foods’ labeling might mislead consumers into believing the product contained traditional, animal-derived fish. However, the court rejected this claim, citing Revo Foods’ clear and accurate labeling of the product as vegan and made entirely from plant-based ingredients.

CEO of Revo Foods, Dr. Robin Simsa, emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and providing clear guidance to consumers. Simsa stated, “Our packaging declares that only 100 percent plant-based ingredients are used and clearly labels the products as vegan. Many consumers are specifically looking for these types of products, and it is important to give guidance of the product taste with descriptive names.”

This case marks the first of its kind brought against a plant-based seafood company, although similar complaints have been raised regarding other plant-based products across mainland Europe, such as oat milk and vegan sausages.

Concerns over labeling restrictions have sparked debates across Europe, with governments like France and Poland imposing bans on words traditionally associated with animal products on vegan foods. However, such restrictions have faced criticism for potentially distorting competition and hindering transparency in the food industry.

Revo Foods and other plant-based companies argue that legislative crackdowns on vegan and meat-free foods reveal biases favoring animal agriculture, despite the environmental impact and growing popularity of alternative proteins.

The dismissal of Vienna City Council’s lawsuit is seen as a significant win for plant-based innovations and reflects the growing competitiveness of vegan products in the food market. Revo Foods intends to continue challenging biased regulations and advocating for a level playing field for plant-based alternatives.

As governments worldwide grapple with the transition towards more sustainable food production, the court’s decision sends a clear message that plant-based foods are becoming increasingly recognized as viable alternatives to their animal-based counterparts.