The Ongoing Debate Over Plant-Based Food Labeling in the EU
The European Union has been grappling with the issue of how to label plant-based foods for a long time. As these products gain popularity, there is still uncertainty about how they should be named and marketed within the single market. Can a soya-based patty be called a “veggie burger”? Should the term “sausage” be used if it doesn’t contain meat? These are some of the questions that have sparked a heated debate.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament made a decision that names such as hamburger, sausage, escalope, or steak can only be used for meat products and not for plant-based alternatives. This move has raised concerns among various stakeholders, including consumer organizations and industry groups.
The French MEP’s Stance
French MEP Céline Imart (EPP), who was responsible for the file in the Parliament, emphasized during the plenary discussion that terms like “steak,” “cutlet,” or “sausage” are associated with livestock farms and should not be used for plant-based products. She argued that this decision is also about transparency and clarity for consumers, as well as recognizing the work of livestock farmers.
Imart’s position reflects a broader concern among some members of the Parliament about the potential confusion that could arise from using meat-related terms for plant-based products. However, others argue that such terminology is essential for consumer recognition and choice.
Current Legislation and the Commission’s Proposal
Currently, legislation allows plant-based products to use meat-related terms, provided the packaging clearly indicates that the product is made only from plants. However, in July, the European Commission proposed updating the Common Market Organisation (CMO) by stating that “meat” refers exclusively to the edible parts of an animal, and “meat products” refer to products derived solely from meat.
This proposal introduced a list of 29 banned terms when referring to vegetarian or vegan products, including: beef, chicken, bacon, ribs, wings, and breast. The European Parliament had previously attempted to introduce similar reforms in 2020 during discussions on EU agricultural subsidies, but the proposal did not pass.
Consumer Perspectives
One of the main arguments for banning these terms is that they may confuse consumers, making it unclear what product they are actually choosing and purchasing. A 2020 survey by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC found that most consumers, around 70%, are not concerned about the naming of veggie “burgers” or “sausages” if the products are clearly identifiable as vegetarian or vegan.
Irina Popescu, food policy officer at BEUC, expressed disappointment with the EU Parliament’s decision to ban commonly used meat-related names for plant-based alternatives. She argued that policymakers should focus on making packaging clear and understandable with trustworthy labels.
Heated Debate in the Parliament
During Wednesday’s heated debate, some comments aimed at the MEPs present were quite spicy. Austrian MEP Thomas Weitz (The Greens) criticized the decision, stating that some politicians think consumers need to be mistrusted and that they are not able to see and read what they’re actually buying. He added that if something is called a vegan burger, everyone knows it doesn’t contain meat.
Industry Response and Legal Precedents
Four hundred organizations have signed an open letter calling for the withdrawal of the ban on 29 meat-related terms for plant-based products. The letter urges the EU to uphold legal precedents that safeguard transparent, consumer-friendly labelling, and to support innovation and sustainability by promoting a level playing field with clearly labelled plant-based options.
The legal precedent referred to in the letter is a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last year, which held that EU member states cannot prevent food manufacturers from using labels traditionally associated with meat on vegetarian foods, as long as the labels clearly describe what the products contain.
However, a comparable legal issue arose in 2017 when the EU’s top court addressed the use of dairy-related terms for plant-based products such as soy and oat drinks. In that case, the ECJ ruled that only products containing actual dairy could use terms such as milk, butter, or yoghurt, resulting in plant-based alternatives being labelled as “drinks” on European shelves.
The Road Ahead
The Parliament’s text must still be negotiated by all member states in the European Council, where it is expected to face significant division. The issue is also being debated domestically in several countries. The outcome of these negotiations will have a major impact on how plant-based products are labeled and marketed across the EU.
