– **History**:
– EVU distributed the 1995 film “Devour the Earth.”
– The film was produced by the Vegetarian Society, written by Tony Wardle, and narrated by Paul McCartney.
– Renato Pichler reported in October 2011 that French decrees effectively banned vegan meals in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, prisons, and retirement homes.
– **Purpose**:
– Support and represent member societies on a European level.
– Raise public awareness and promote vegetarianism and plant-based lifestyles.
– Lobby for greater recognition of plant-based issues in policy decisions.
– Promote transparent food labeling for vegetarian and vegan consumers globally.
– **Labelling**:
– The V-Label was in use from 1995 until 2022.
– Since January 2023, a redesigned V-Label has been introduced.
– **V-Label**:
– EVU supported the V-Label as the background organization.
– Some member organizations certify products with the label.
– The label was launched in 1995 and redesigned in 2023.
– **Other labels in the European Union**:
– EVU has pushed for legal definitions of “vegetarian” and “vegan” labels.
– Main requirements include the exclusion of non-vegetarian substances and managing inadvertent traces.
– The European Commission initially resisted changes, but German states adopted a binding definition for food labeling.
The European Vegetarian Union (EVU) is a non-profit, non-governmental umbrella organisation for vegan and vegetarian societies and groups in Europe. The union works in the areas of vegetarianism, nutrition, health, consumer protection, climate and environment, and food labelling.
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Abbreviation | EVU |
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Formation | 1988 |
Founded at | Hilversum, Netherlands |
Type | Non-profit organisation |
Registration no. | 109356110578-03 |
Focus | Vegetarianism/Veganism |
Location |
|
Area served | Europe |
Members (2020) | 43 member organisations from 28 countries |
Official language | English |
General Secretary | Olivia Ladinig |
President | Felix Hnat |
Vice President | Sebastian Joy |
Treasurer | Johannes Gilli |
Affiliations | |
Website | www |
V-label | |
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Effective region | Worldwide |
Effective since | 1995 |
Product category | Food label |
Legal status | Consumer recognised |
Website | www.v-label.com |