NATIONAL STANDARD

TCVN 13625:2023

ISO 23662:2021

DEFINITIONS AND TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR FOODS AND FOOD INGREDIENTS SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS OR VEGANS AND FOR LABELLING AND CLAIMS

Foreword

TCVN 13625:2023 corresponds to ISO 23662:2021;

TCVN 13625:2023 is developed by the National Technical Committee TCVN/TC/F3 General principles of food hygiene, appraised by the Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality and promulgated by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to provide the technical criteria for foods and food ingredients suitable for vegetarians [including vegetarians who consume eggs and milk (ovo-lacto-vegetarians), vegetarians who consume eggs (ovo-vegetarians) and vegetarians who consume milk (lacto-vegetarians)] or vegans for use by the food and beverage industry at a global level, as well as technical criteria for food labelling and claims.

The document specifies technical criteria to all food and beverage companies, applicable to all organizations, regardless of size or complexity. This document is intended for use in business-to-business communications, relationships in the global food supply chain, the international trade of food products, and food labelling and claims.

Conformity to this document helps to ensure a level-playing field and fair practices in business-to-business relationships, international trade, and food labelling and claims.

NOTE Legally required information, food labelling or claims, or other applicable legal requirements can apply.

DEFINITIONS AND TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR FOODS AND FOOD INGREDIENTS SUITABLE FOR VEGETARIANS OR VEGANS AND FOR LABELLING AND CLAIMS

1 Scope

The document specifies the definitions and technical criteria to be fulfilled for foods and food ingredients to be suitable for vegetarians (including ovo-lacto-, ovo- and lacto-vegetarians) or vegans as well as for food labelling and claims.

It is applicable to business-to-business communication (B2B), to the food trade, and to food labelling and claims. The definitions and technical criteria apply only post-harvest/collecting.

It does not apply to human safety, environmental safety, socio-economic considerations (e.g. fair trade, animal welfare), religious beliefs and the characteristics of packaging materials.

2 Normative references

There are no normative references in this document.

3 Terms and definitions