European Vegetarian Union facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | EVU |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1988 |
| Founded at | Hilversum, Netherlands |
| Type | Non-profit organisation |
| Registration no. | 109356110578-03 |
| Focus | Vegetarianism/Veganism |
| Location |
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Area served
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Europe |
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Members (2020)
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43 member organisations from 28 countries |
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Official language
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English |
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General Secretary
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Olivia Ladinig |
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President
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Felix Hnat |
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Vice President
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Sebastian Joy |
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Treasurer
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Johannes Gilli |
| Affiliations |
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| V-label | |
|---|---|
| Effective region | Worldwide |
| Effective since | 1995 |
| Product category | Food label |
| Legal status | Consumer recognised |
| Website | www.v-label.com |
The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) is a non-profit group that helps vegetarian and vegan societies across Europe. It's an independent organisation that works to support people who choose to eat plant-based foods. The EVU focuses on topics like healthy eating, protecting consumers, and how food choices affect the climate and environment. It also works on making food labels clear for everyone.
Contents
History of the EVU
The European Vegetarian Union was started in 1988. Over the years, it has worked on many projects to support vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.
- In 1995, the EVU helped share a film called Devour the Earth. This film talked about how eating a lot of meat affects the world. It was made by the Vegetarian Society and narrated by Paul McCartney.
- In 2011, there was a rule in France that made it hard to serve vegan meals in public schools. The EVU spoke out against this rule. They wanted to make sure vegan meal options were available for students.
What the EVU Does
The main goals of the European Vegetarian Union are:
- To support and represent vegetarian and vegan groups across Europe. They help these groups work together.
- To teach people about vegetarianism and plant-based eating. They show the benefits of this lifestyle.
- To talk to governments and other big organisations. They want plant-based issues to be part of important decisions.
- To make sure food labels are clear for all vegetarian and vegan shoppers. This helps people know what they are buying.
Food Labelling Efforts
The EVU works hard to make sure food products are clearly labelled. This helps consumers make informed choices.
The V-Label
The EVU has been involved with the V-Label. This label helps people easily find vegetarian and vegan products. Some of the EVU's member groups check products to make sure they meet the V-Label standards. The V-Label started in 1995 and was updated in 2023. The new design makes it easier to tell if a product is vegetarian or vegan.
Defining "Vegetarian" and "Vegan" Labels
The European Vegetarian Union has worked to create clear rules for using the words "vegetarian" and "vegan" on food. They believe these labels should have a standard meaning across Europe.
They have suggested two main rules for food producers:
- Food labelled "vegan" or "vegetarian" should not have any non-vegan or non-vegetarian ingredients added on purpose.
- If tiny, accidental traces of non-vegan or non-vegetarian things are present, the product can still be labelled. This is only if the company tried its best to prevent it during production.
At first, the European Commission did not agree to these changes. However, the EVU kept working with governments, especially in Germany. In Germany, there was a lot of support for clearer food labels. Because of this, German consumer protection ministers agreed on definitions for "vegan" and "vegetarian" food. This made the definitions official for food checks in Germany.
See also
In Spanish: Unión Vegetariana Europea para niños
- List of vegetarian organisations
- The Vegan Society (United Kingdom)
- Vegetarian Society (United Kingdom)
- Vegetarian and vegan symbolism
Animal protection movements
- Human Environment Animal Protection (Tierschutzpartei)
- Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals
