The Debate Over Plant-Based Food Labeling in the European Union
The European Union has long been engaged in a heated debate about how to label and market plant-based foods. As these products gain popularity, questions remain about whether they should be allowed to use traditional meat-related terms in their names. For example, can a soya-based patty be called a “veggie burger”? Should a non-meat product still be labeled as a “sausage”? These are just some of the issues that have sparked intense discussions among policymakers and consumers alike.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament took a firm stance, deciding that terms like “hamburger,” “sausage,” “escalope,” or “steak” should only be used for meat products and not for plant-based alternatives. This decision reflects a broader concern about transparency and clarity for consumers, as well as recognition of the work done by livestock farmers.
French MEP Céline Imart (EPP), who was responsible for the file during the discussion, emphasized that terms like “steak,” “cutlet,” or “sausage” should be reserved for products from livestock farms. She argued that these terms cannot be applied to laboratory-made substitutes or plant-based products.
Current Legislation and Proposed Changes
Currently, EU legislation allows plant-based products to use meat-related terms as long as the packaging clearly states that the product is made entirely from plants. However, this approach has come under scrutiny in recent years.
In July, the European Commission proposed updating the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulations. According to the proposal, “meat” would exclusively refer to edible parts of animals, and “meat products” would be defined as those derived solely from meat. The proposal also included a list of 29 banned terms for vegetarian and vegan products, such as “beef,” “chicken,” “bacon,” “ribs,” “wings,” and “breast.”
This move was not new. In 2020, the European Parliament had attempted a similar reform during discussions on EU agricultural subsidies, but the proposal failed to pass.
Consumer Perspectives and Industry Concerns
One of the main arguments for banning these terms is the potential for consumer confusion. Critics argue that using meat-related names might make it unclear what exactly a consumer is purchasing. However, some studies suggest otherwise.
A 2020 survey by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC found that around 70% of consumers 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. Austrian MEP Thomas Weitz (The Greens) echoed this sentiment, stating that some politicians seem to mistrust consumers’ intelligence. He pointed out that if a product is called a “vegan burger,” it is clear to everyone that it does not contain meat.
Legal Precedents and Ongoing Challenges
More than 400 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 support transparent and consumer-friendly labeling. It also emphasizes the importance of promoting innovation and sustainability by ensuring that plant-based options are clearly labeled and accessible.
The legal precedent referenced in the letter is a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) last year, which stated 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 similar legal issue arose in 2017 when the ECJ addressed the use of dairy-related terms for plant-based products such as soy and oat drinks. In that case, the court ruled that only products containing actual dairy could use terms like “milk,” “butter,” or “yoghurt,” leading to plant-based alternatives being labeled as “drinks” on European shelves.
Future Steps and Domestic Debates
The Parliament’s text must now be negotiated by all member states in the European Council. It is expected to face significant division, as the issue is also being debated domestically in several countries. The outcome of these negotiations will likely shape the future of plant-based food labeling across the EU.
