Nébih is suing a small business in Budapest
Nébih has filed a lawsuit against a small business in Budapest for selling a slice of soy with a meat-like taste and texture called vegan ham. Nébih argues that according to the Food Book, ham is made only from meat, while 827Market, a food producer working with plant-based ingredients, is referring to a new decision that it is not misleading to give such names to a meat-like plant-based.
In their reply to the Vas County Government Office, they referred to a decree of 2021 stating that it could not be prohibited to name plant foods as meat. A month later, the Pest County Government Office also ordered an inspection, in which it was established that the Hungarian regulations would not be overwritten by EU regulations. The company was warned to close the case and called on them to end the violation, writes Telex.
The owners of 827Market appealed against the decision, and the lawsuit went to the Budapest District Court, where Nébih’s lawyer was already facing its owners. According to the institution, the name vegan ham is misleading, as only meat-based foods can be called ham. However, according to the company, there can be no question of deception, as the term vegan precludes it from being meat. In part of the dispute, the parties have previously reached an agreement.
However, for the time being, the Budapest District Court has only stated that this is not the case, and I would like to continue that if the administrative panel of the Metropolitan Court can make a decision in the future, the term vegan ham can still be used.
The court warns its company Nébihet that the success of the ban will not be certain at all, as the Vas County Government Office has already given the right to 827Market, accepting the argument. Vegan ham producers have waived their right to appeal, Nébih has 15 days to appeal the case.