Brussels: The European Parliament on Wednesday voted to restrict the use of meat-related terms such as ‘burger,’ ‘sausage,’ and ‘steak’ to products containing actual meat, effectively banning terms like ‘veggie-burger’ and ‘vegan sausage’ from being used for plant-based alternatives. The vote, part of a broader EU proposal aimed at protecting farmers, passed by 355 to 247.
The amendment seeks to strengthen the negotiating position of farmers within the food supply chain, ensuring that large companies cannot impose unfavourable conditions on producers. While the Parliament has backed the ban, the final text of the regulation will be determined through negotiations between the Parliament, EU member states, and the European Commission.
Under the proposed regulation, certain product descriptions, including ‘hamburger,’ ‘steak,’ ‘escalope,’ ‘sausage,’ as well as ‘egg yolk’ and ‘egg white,’ would be reserved exclusively for foods containing the corresponding animal product.
The move follows the EU’s earlier definition of dairy items such as milk, butter, cream, yoghurt, and cheese as ‘products secreted by mammary glands,’ which has led plant-based alternatives like oat milk to be labeled as ‘oat drink.’
Belle victoire pour les agriculteurs au Parlement européen !
Une saucisse, c’est de la viande produite par nos éleveurs. Point final. La valorisation de leur travail et la transparence envers le consommateur ont emporté l’adhésion.
En prime : les contrats, la prise en compte… https://t.co/dDwK5FmMqI
— Céline Imart (@CelineImart) October 8, 2025
Supporters of the amendment argue that reserving traditional meat and dairy terms for animal products preserves clarity for consumers and protects the livelihoods of farmers. Critics, however, say the restriction could limit marketing for plant-based food producers and restrict consumer choice.
This is not the first time the European Parliament has debated such restrictions. In 2020, lawmakers rejected a similar proposal to ban meat-related terminology for plant-based alternatives, citing concerns about industry innovation and labeling practices.
The latest vote reflects ongoing tensions in Europe between agricultural interests and the growing market for plant-based and alternative protein products. With the EU’s regulatory framework still subject to negotiation, stakeholders from both the farming sector and the plant-based food industry will continue to closely monitor developments.
The final regulation, once agreed upon, is expected to influence labeling rules across all 27 EU member states, potentially reshaping how both meat and plant-based products are marketed throughout Europe.
