Legal uncertainty arises particularly in cases where a dish labelled as vegan contains traces of animal-derived substances or is prepared in a shared kitchen environment. Although such practices may be acceptable under some private certification schemes, they can still conflict with consumer expectations, especially among those who adopt veganism for ethical reasons.22 4.2 Legal Risks Arising from Misleading Use of Vegan Claims The use of “vegan” as a voluntary label can be scrutinised under the UCPD. If the label misleads the average consumer, whether by omission or implication, it may be considered unlawful, even in the absence of intent to deceive.23 Consumer protection authorities in several Member States, including Austria24 and Germany,25 have emphasised that ethical claims such as “vegan” require a heightened level of transparency. This includes disclosing possible sources of contamination or clarifying whether ingredients have been verified as free from animal derivatives. Moreover, Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims26 may apply indirectly, particularly when vegan labels appear alongside health or environmental messages. Food providers should ensure that such claims do not imply benefits that lack scientific backing or fall outside the permitted scope of the EU nutrition claims register. 4.3 Compliance Strategies and Legal Risk Management In contrast to industrial food production, restaurants and catering establishments typically operate in settings where controlling the risk of crosscontamination is more challenging. The use of shared kitchen equipment, storage areas, and preparation surfaces increases the potential for trace amounts of animal-derived substances to be present in dishes labelled as vegan. Although such trace contamination may not constitute a significant allergenic hazard, 22 European Vegetarian Union, Position Paper: Traces of Animal-derived Substances in Vegan and Vegetarian Foods (July 2019) https://www.euroveg.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/EVU-PP-traces-July-2019.pdf accessed 11 June 2025. 23 UCPD arts 6–7. 24 Leitlinie über die täuschungsfreie Aufmachung von pflanzlichen, veganen und vegetarischen Lebensmitteln mit Bezug in der Kennzeichnung zu Lebensmitteln tierischen Ursprungs (Codex-Kommission, Austria, November 2023) Anhang 11 https://www.lebensmittelbuch.at/lebensmittelbuch/a-5-kennzeichnung-aufmachung/anhang-11-leitlinie-ueberdie-taeuschungsfreie-aufmachung-von-pflanzlichen-veganen-und-vegetarischen-lebensmitteln-mit-bezug-inder-kennzeichnung-zu-lebensmitteln-tierischen-ursprungs.html accessed 9 June 2025 25 See Leitsätze für vegane und vegetarische Lebensmittel (rev 2024). 26 Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods [2006] OJ L404/9. 173 RESPONSIBILITY FOR VEGAN DISHES IN GASTRONOMY
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