Veggie food
There are no specific legal regulations for vegan and vegetarian foods either in the European Union or in Germany. However, the so-called guidelines („Leitsätze“) for vegan and vegetarian foods with similarities to foods of animal origin are important in Germany. These guidelines are sub-legal sectoral regulations that are codified in the German Food Codex („Deutsches Lebensmittelbuch“) and which provide an indication of which designations of a food are accepted in Germany.
The guidelines apply to vegan and vegetarian foods that are similar to foods of animal origin and whose designation, product name or presentation is based on the customary labelling of foods with animal ingredients. For example, a ‘Schnitzel’ is a cut of meat, i.e. muscle meat. A vegan alternative to this meat product may also use the term ‘Schnitzel’ in its designation but only under certain conditions.
It should also be noted that in Germany, products that are vegan by nature, such as mineral water, may not be advertised with a special reference to their vegan nature. Such advertising is considered a violation of the ban on advertising with a self-evident aspect. It is therefore important to make it clear in the advertising that the product in question is vegan by nature and not due to a special quality or a special production method.
Fortification of foods
The appearance of fortified foods is similar to that of conventional foods (e.g. yoghurts, juices). They differ from these only in that nutritionally active substances such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids or other nutrients are added.
Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Union on the addition of vitamins and minerals and of certain other substances to foods also applies to the fortification of foods in Germany. However, due to transitional measures laid down in the regulation, national regulations, such as the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB), must still be observed.
Whether the fortification of a foodstuff requires a national official authorisation for marketing in Germany depends on which nutrients are added. For the addition of most minerals and trace elements as well as vitamins A and D, a specific authorisation is required in Germany – in deviation from European Union law. Under certain conditions, an exemption authorisation can be granted for the marketing of fortified foods or a general ruling can be issued by the competent German authorities.