Carnimad takes attitude against the use of term 'vegetarian butcher shop'
Carnimad, Madrid's Butchers Association, takes a step forward and urges the authorities to ban the use of the 'butcher shop' term in stores that are selling vegetarian products. Already in May 2020, Cedecarne, a union organization of which Carnimad is part, signaled the illegal use - and increasingly frequent- of the meat denominations in food establishments, to market plant products that mimick the aspect of meat products.
"A year later, in Carnimad we have seen ourselves in the obligation to take a step forward because the irregularity of the situation no longer affects meat denominations, but to the model itself, with the opening in Madrid of Compassion - the first "vegetarian butcher shop" of Spain, as they call it themselves," says a press release from Carnimad.
The association decided to send the new company a letter in which reminded it that 'butcher shop' term stands for "an establishment dedicated to manipulation, preparation and presentation and, where appropriate, storage of fresh meats and spoils, with or without bone, in its different modalities, as well as meat preparations, meat products and other products of animal origin, for sale to the consumer in the dependencies own intended for this purpose", as defined by the Decree 1376/2003.
"Likewise, we also understand that the activity they develop can not be framed in any of the retail trade activities of meat and meat products in specialized establishments, which have their own tax grades," added Carnimad.
Much more, the incorrect use of the denominations in Compassion store goes far beyond the name of the establishment, because it is present in almost all Compassion products, both in the physical and online store, vulnerating national and European regulations, and leading to consumer confusion. Specifically, they use terms such as "red meats", "white meats", "sausages", "Entrecots", "Chorizos" and even "Our Iberians".
"From Carnimad, we consider that this misuse of the meat denominations is extremely serious, since it is clearly a cheating to the consumer, in addition to supposing an act of unfair competition," said the association in a press release.
Carnimad invoques a 2017 judgment of the European Court acted with force regarding those terms that referred to dairy products without carrying milk of animal origin, removing the term "milk" only allowed for those that come from animals. This interpretation is extensive, without any doubt, for the meat terms.
"Likewise, as representatives of trade sector professionals, with a marked artisan character, we congratulate all the entrepreneurial initiatives that contribute to dynamize neighborhoods and cities, but never breaching current legislation and much less confusing consumers. Therefore, we request the immediate review and withdrawal of any reference to meat products or derivatives in the labeling and communication of the establishment, seeking a solution according to the current European regulatory framework," concluded the association.
Carnimad hereby reserves the right to undertake any other type of action, both in defense of consumers and in the field of its commercial activity.
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