Origin of all meat must be displayed by french restaurants and canteens

RULES PREVIOUSLY APPLIED ONLY TO BEEF The origin of more types of meat in certain dishes must be displayed on restaurant menus in France after a decree was published in the Journal Officiel

yesterday (February 18). The decree states that “the origin or provenance of pork, sheep and poultry meat” must be clearly indicated by all catering establishments.  This includes places of

birth, rearing, and slaughter of the animals.  It applies to raw meat purchased to be cooked on the premises, not meat purchased that is already prepared or cooked. The rules come into force

from today (February 19), and are similar to a 2022 decree which also required the origin of these meat products to be displayed. The 2022 decree ran until March 2024, however the new

decree has no time limit, essentially making the requirement a continuous practice. A similar rule has been in place for beef products since 2002, due to mad cow disease. SIGN OF ‘QUALITY’

PRODUCE The move is a “significant step forward in terms of transparency on the origin of meat… [and provides] valuable support for our local producers,” said Minister of Agriculture Annie

Genevard in a press release. Catering establishments – including restaurants, school canteens, and professional canteens for employees – risk fines of up to €3,000 if the information is not

displayed correctly.  The move is backed by prime minister François Bayrou, who hails from the agrarian south-west of France from where many of the country’s most famous food products

originate.  Read more: French MP complains over lack of foie-gras in parliamentary restaurants His backing for the measure was based on principles supporting each group affected, the

Agriculture Ministry said and will benefit: * Farmers who want to be able to make the most of the quality of their produce and inform consumers that the meat originates from France *

Consumers who want to know from where their food originates, as French products are renowned for their quality and taste * Restaurateurs, who see French origin as both a guarantee of quality

and a competitive advantage It is hoped the new rule will address concern from farmers over various issues including the controversial EU-South America free trade agreement (Mercosur). 

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