Enforcement of these obligations is entrusted to national authorities. In Slovenia, the Market Inspectorate supervises food labelling and advertising and may impose sanctions under the ZVPot-1. The Administration for Food Safety oversees hygiene and allergen control based on the Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Zakon o zdravstveni ustreznosti živil in izdelkov ter snovi, ki prihajajo v stik z živili, ZZUZIS),44 while the Health Inspectorate intervenes in public health settings such as schools and hospitals.45 Although there is no veganspecific legislation, general rules on food safety, hygiene, and fair commercial practices, therefore, provide grounds for enforcement. VI. CONCLUSION The growing presence of vegan food in the European hospitality sector has raised a range of legal questions, particularly in the absence of harmonised regulatory standards. This article has examined the obligations of food business operators in offering and labelling vegan dishes, with a focus on consumer protection, food safety, and potential liability. Although the term “vegan” is not legally defined at the EU level, its use in commercial practice is subject to general rules governing fair and accurate food information. Voluntary claims, such as “vegan,” fall within the scope of the FIC Regulation and the General Food Law Regulation, which require that all food information be clear, truthful, and not misleading. Where a dish is incorrectly labelled as vegan, whether due to the presence of animal-derived ingredients or inadequate disclosure of preparation methods, legal consequences may follow. These can include administrative sanctions under food law, liability for misleading practices, and, in some cases, civil claims for breach of contract or damage. In cases where physical harm occurs, such as allergic reactions to undeclared ingredients, liability is typically assessed under established principles of tort and product safety. However, even in the absence of bodily injury, certain legal systems may recognise non-material harm where consumer dignity, autonomy, or protected beliefs are affected. As noted in Chapter 2, ethical 44 Zakon o zdravstveni ustreznosti živil in izdelkov ter snovi, ki prihajajo v stik z živili (ZZUZIS), Official Gazette of the RS, No. 52/00 as amended. 45 Zakon o zdravstveni inšpekciji (ZZdrI), Official Gazette of the RS, No. 59/06 as amended. 177 RESPONSIBILITY FOR VEGAN DISHES IN GASTRONOMY
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