Overview
SIST EN ISO 23662:2024 - “Definitions and technical criteria for foods and food ingredients suitable for vegetarians or vegans and for labelling and claims” - provides a clear framework for defining and verifying foods and ingredients that are appropriate for vegetarians and vegans. Applicable to food businesses, manufacturers, retailers, and regulators, this international standard is designed to harmonize labelling practices and support business-to-business (B2B) communication and food trade.
This standard sets out consistent terminology, technical criteria, and requirements for vegetarian and vegan food labelling and claims. It helps ensure fair practices and consumer transparency, fostering trust and reducing misinterpretation within the food industry.
Key Topics
- Definitions: Clarifies what qualifies as vegetarian (including ovo-lacto, ovo-, and lacto-vegetarian) or vegan food and ingredients post-harvest. It covers essential terms such as animal, food additive, food business operator, ingredient, label, labelling, and processing aid.
- Technical Criteria: Details requirements for foods and ingredients to be suitable for:
- Ovo-lacto-vegetarians
- Ovo-vegetarians
- Lacto-vegetarians
- Vegans
- Specifies permissible ingredients and precautions to prevent cross-contamination and mislabelling.
- Labelling and Claims: Describes how vegetarian and vegan foods should be labelled, focusing on the prevention of false, misleading, or deceptive statements. Relevant wording must meet the outlined technical criteria.
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs): Emphasizes the need for strict separation and cleaning protocols in production to avoid unintended presence of animal-derived substances.
- Exclusions: The standard is not intended to cover human safety, environmental safety, socio-economic factors (e.g., fair trade or animal welfare), religious requirements, or packaging materials.
Applications
- Food Labelling Compliance: Food business operators must use the standard to ensure that any ‘vegetarian’ or ‘vegan’ claims on packaging and advertising are accurate and substantiated.
- Product Development: Assists manufacturers in formulating and marketing new products to meet the rising demand for vegetarian and vegan options in both local and global markets.
- International Trade: Provides a harmonized reference for food ingredient declarations and claims throughout the supply chain, supporting transparent B2B communication and reducing trade barriers.
- Retail and Distribution: Enables retailers and distributors to clearly communicate product suitability to consumers, building trust and confidence in plant-based food choices.
- Certifications and Audits: Offers a regulatory and technical checklist for auditing and certifying vegetarian or vegan claims in food products.
Related Standards
- Codex Alimentarius - General Guidelines on Claims (CODEX CXG 1-1979)
- Codex Alimentarius - General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CODEX CXS 1-1985)
- Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 - General principles and requirements of food law in the EU
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 - Food additives legislation
SIST EN ISO 23662:2024 plays a crucial role in standardizing vegetarian and vegan food definitions and claims, supporting regulatory compliance, global market access, and consumer confidence. Food producers, manufacturers, and regulators are encouraged to implement this standard to ensure clarity, reliability, and transparency in food labelling for vegetarian and vegan products.
