Overview
ISO 8700:2025 - "Plant-based foods and food ingredients - Definitions and technical criteria for labelling and claims" - is an international standard developed by ISO to provide clear definitions and technical requirements for labelling and claims associated with plant-based foods and ingredients. Due to growing consumer demand for plant-based food products, accurate and transparent labelling is essential for manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and consumers navigating this segment of the food industry.
This standard establishes definitions and technical criteria for foods and ingredients that contain no animal-derived ingredients, as well as those with limited and conditional use of animal-derived ingredients. ISO 8700:2025 aims to harmonize communications across the food supply chain and improve the integrity of plant-based food claims in international trade.
Key Topics
- Scope: Applies to processed or manufactured plant-based foods and food ingredients intended for human consumption. Excludes unprocessed plant parts (e.g., fruits, vegetables, pulses, grains), animal feed, pet food, and food packaging.
- Terms and Definitions: Provides precise definitions for plant-based, animal-derived, plant-derived, neutral ingredients, processing aids, labelling, and claims.
- Criteria for Plant-based Foods:
- Foods must have plant or plant-derived ingredients as the characterizing components.
- No animal or animal-derived ingredients allowed in products labelled as “plant-based”.
- Criteria for Foods with Limited Animal-derived Ingredients:
- Allows non-characterizing, non-slaughtered animal-derived ingredients (e.g., milk, eggs) under strict conditions.
- Animal-derived ingredients cannot exceed 5% of total plant-derived ingredients and must be used only for technological or fortification purposes.
- Manufacturing Control:
- Requires food business operators to implement robust manufacturing controls to prevent unintended presence of animal-derived substances.
- Good manufacturing practices and cleaning protocols are recommended to maintain integrity.
- Labelling and Claims:
- Prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive presentation.
- Foods meeting stringent criteria may be labelled as "plant-based" or "100% plant-based" where relevant.
- Transparent disclosure is mandatory for products with permitted limited animal-derived content.
Applications
ISO 8700:2025 is relevant for a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Food manufacturers and processors: Establishes a standardized framework for the development, manufacturing, and truthful labelling of plant-based foods and ingredients, enabling access to international markets.
- Retailers and brands: Supports responsible marketing of plant-based food claims, reducing the risk of consumer confusion or regulatory non-compliance.
- Regulatory authorities: Provides a reference point for enforcement, verification, and market surveillance of labelling and claims related to plant-based foods and ingredients.
- Consumers: Improves confidence and informed choice by ensuring transparency and consistency in plant-based food labelling and related claims.
- International trade: Harmonizes criteria across markets, facilitating smoother global trade in plant-based food products.
Related Standards
ISO 8700:2025 references and aligns with several other key international standards and guidance documents, including:
- BSI PAS 224:2020: Code of practice for 100% plant-based foods.
- Codex Alimentarius CXG 1-1979: General Guidelines on Claims.
- Codex Alimentarius CXS 1-1985: General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods.
- Codex Alimentarius CXG 32-1999: Guidelines for organically produced foods.
- Regulation (EU) 2018/848: Organic production and labelling of organic products.
For industry professionals, regulatory authorities, or other parties involved in plant-based foods, ISO 8700:2025 provides a comprehensive, internationally recognized framework to support accuracy, transparency, and reliability in plant-based food labelling and claims.