The word 'vegan' now legally protected in Europe!

Yep, it's only been around since the 1940s, but finally the EU has granted the word vegan a 'protected' status. This means you can no longer use it on food that contains any animal products. I'm not sure if you can legally shout at people who say stuff like "I'm vegan, but I eat chicken" though
"Vegetarian" has now also been legally defined as any product that does not directly involve the death of an animal in it's production.
Hopefully the US will follow suit in the near future.
Anyway, here's the link to the announcement & as usual I'll post the text below for you to read.

Quote :

`Vegan’ – a legally protected term

A long-running ‘ask’ of The Vegan Society has been granted, as the European Parliament makes ‘vegan’ a legally protected term. This means that food labelled, ‘suitable for vegans’ should not be made using anything from animals, living or dead. Vegans avoid using anything from animals, for the benefit of humans, other animals and the planet.

George Rodger, Chair of the Vegan Society Council of Trustees said today, “This is a great day for veganism in Europe and indeed the world, as vegans and veganism are now given official recognition. We look forward to the UK government putting it into practice.”

On Wed 16 Jun 2010, the European Parliament voted to give legal protection to the term, 'vegan', as part of Amendment No 175 of new consumer food information regulations. This has closed a legal loop-hole – the terms ‘vegan’ and ‘vegetarian’ previously had no legally enforceable definition in Europe. Not only vegans, but all other consumers seeking genuinely plant-based food – such as healthy eaters, ethical eaters and many following religious diets – can now look forward to reliable food labelling.

According to Article 35 of the European Food Information Act, “The term 'vegan' should not be applied to foods that are, or are made from or with the aid of, animals or animal products (including products from living animals).” (Also defined, “The term 'vegetarian' should not be applied to foods that are, or are made from or with the aid of products derived from animals that have died, have been slaughtered, or animals that die as a result of being eaten.”)

The new rules are likely to come into legal force around 2014.

Contact: Amanda Baker Mobile: (07847) 664 793 Email: media@vegansociety.com Tel: (0121) 523 1737
Notes for Editors

1. Founded in 1944, The Vegan Society promotes vegan lifestyles - which exclude, as far as is possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. Registered Charity No. 279228, Company Registration No. 1468880, VAT Registration No. 448 5973 95

2. The adopted text can be viewed on the European Parliament Web site: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P7-TA-2010-0222&language=EN&ring=A7-2010-0109 (accessed Wed 24 Jun 2010).