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EU countries and lawmakers are set for a contentious negotiation on Thursday over a proposal that would bar plant-based foods from using traditional meat labels such as “sausage”, “burger” and “steak”. The measure backed by the European Parliament in an October vote is being advanced as part of a wider package aimed at protecting farmers, according to AFP. Livestock groups argue that the terminology used on plant-based products misleads consumers and dilutes the identity of meat.According to Protein Production Technology International, the proposal sought to bar 29 meat-associated terms including beef, ribs, bacon and breast from being used on vegetarian or plant-based product labels. Depending on how negotiations evolve, everyday staples such as veggie burgers and plant-based sausages could also face new restrictions. The draft further redefines meat strictly as the edible part of an animal, a shift that would strip much of the long-standing vocabulary used by the plant-based sector.The European Commission said the aim was to enhance consumer transparency and preserve the historical meaning of traditional meat terminology. But the debate remains far from settled. The plan has now entered trilogue negotiations between the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, where all three institutions will attempt to agree on a unified text. A final decision is expected in 2026, leaving the future of plant-based naming conventions uncertain.French industry body Interbev says such labelling “confuses consumers and undermines recognition” in meat products. Supporters of the ban in Parliament share that view, AFP quoted French MP Céline Imart telling “Let’s call a spade a spade.” The proposal nevertheless faces pushback from several EU member states, with officials warning that more negotiation rounds may be necessary.Major German food retailers, consumer advocates and environmental organisations oppose the move, arguing it would impose needless restrictions on a fast-growing category. EU consumption of plant-based meat alternatives has risen five-fold since 2011, according to BEUC data cited by AFP.Prominent criticism has also come from Sir Paul McCartney, who has joined MPs, activists and plant-based food companies in urging Brussels to reject the measure. In comments reported by People.com, he said: “To stipulate that burgers and sausages are ‘plant-based,’ ‘vegetarian,’ or ‘vegan’ should be enough for sensible people to understand what they are eating.” A joint letter signed by McCartney and his daughters Mary and Stella warned the rules could hinder progress towards more sustainable diets.The October Parliament vote which passed 355–247 and would reserve words such as “steak”, “egg white”, “egg yolk” and “escalope” for animal-derived products was reported by the BBC, though the amendment still requires approval from the European Commission and all 27 EU member states before becoming law.This is not the EU’s first attempt at tightening naming rules. France passed a similar ban in 2024 to placate farmers, only for it to be overturned months later after an EU court ruling. An earlier EU-level proposal was rejected in 2020. But the political landscape has shifted after the 2024 European elections, which saw major gains for right-wing parties aligned with farming interests though even within those blocs, leaders like Manfred Weber insist the labelling plan is “not a priority at all”.
