EU Parliament bans meat-related terms for plant-based products
The European Parliament has voted to ban the use of terms like “steak,” “burger,” “fillet,” and “sausage” for products that do not contain meat, with 532 votes in favor, 78 against, and 25 abstentions.
The new regulation aims to strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain and provide clearer labeling for consumers. From now on, such terms can only be used for products that include “edible parts of animals,” excluding both plant-based and lab-grown alternatives.
The vote marks a reversal of a 2020 decision, when lawmakers rejected similar restrictions for plant-based products. The ban now moves to the EU member states for further approval before becoming law.
The plant-based food industry has criticized the decision, arguing that labels like “plant-based burger” are not misleading and are well understood by consumers. They warn the move could hinder the growth of a sector vital to Europe’s climate and sustainability goals.
Supporters say the regulation will prevent confusion and protect traditional food terminology, while critics see it as a win for the meat industry at the expense of innovation.
It remains to be seen whether EU countries will ratify the ban and how the industry will respond if forced to rebrand familiar products.
