Overview
- Lawmakers voted 355–247 to advance a proposal reserving terms like steak, sausage and burger for animal-based products.
- The text is not yet law and must be negotiated with the Council of the EU, where member states can amend or block it.
- Supporters led by MEP Céline Imart cite consumer clarity and recognition for livestock farmers, while BEUC and plant-based producers oppose the change.
- Consumer groups point to research that roughly 70% of Europeans understand meat-like names when items are clearly labeled vegan or vegetarian.
- The move faces legal headwinds after EU judges struck down similar French bans, could force costly rebranding in a €5.7bn market and may create UK–Northern Ireland labeling divergences under the Windsor Framework.