The European Parliament has voted in favor of banning the use of terms such as “burger” and “steak” for plant-based food products.
The decision, passed by a 355–247 majority, is viewed as a win for livestock farmers who argue that such labels pose a threat to their industry and livelihoods.
However, the ban is not yet finalized. For it to become law, it still requires approval from the European Commission — the EU’s executive body — and the governments of all 27 member states.
The move comes amid a surge in the popularity of plant-based foods, as more consumers embrace meat-free diets across Europe.
“Let’s call a spade a spade,” said Celine Imart, the French lawmaker who spearheaded the proposal, according to AFP. Describing the use of meat-related labels for vegan products as “misleading for the consumer,” Imart, a member of the conservative EPP group, emphasized the need for clarity in food marketing.
The proposed restrictions would also extend to terms such as “egg yolk,” “egg white,” and “escalope,” reserving them exclusively for products containing actual meat.
Currently, EU law already limits dairy-related terminology to products derived from “normal mammary secretion,” meaning that items like milk, yogurt, and cheese must come from animal sources. For instance, oat milk is sold as “oat drink” in European stores.
Critics from Green and liberal parties in the Parliament have condemned the measure, calling it unnecessary and out of touch.
“While the world is burning, the EPP has nothing better to do this week than to involve us all in a debate about sausages and schnitzel,” said Anna Cavazzini of Germany’s Green Party, as quoted by Deutsche Welle.
Environmental advocates have also argued that the proposal could hinder efforts toward sustainability.
The backlash has extended to the food industry, particularly in Germany — the EU’s largest market for plant-based products — according to a report by the Good Food Institute of Europe.
Several major brands, including Aldi, Lidl, Burger King, and sausage producer Rügenwalder Mühle, jointly opposed the move in an open letter, warning that removing “familiar terms” would make it “more difficult for consumers to make informed decisions.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose party is part of the EPP, has thrown his full support behind the measure, insisting that “a sausage is a sausage. Sausage is not vegan.”
France’s meat industry has likewise backed the idea, having long advocated for stricter labeling rules.
A similar proposal was brought before the European Parliament in 2020 but ultimately failed to pass.
