Overview
- On December 10, EU negotiators failed to agree on rules for using meat-related names on plant-based products, postponing the file to 2026.
- Current labels such as “veggie burger,” “plant-based steak,” and “vegetarian sausage” remain permitted across the bloc until talks resume.
- The European Parliament voted in October to back a ban on terms like steak, sausage, and hamburger for non‑meat items, reflecting a rightward shift after the 2024 elections.
- Member states are split, with Germany—the EU’s largest market for plant-based alternatives—opposing restrictions as major retailers Lidl and Aldi warn of consumer confusion and falling sales from renaming.
- Meat-sector groups such as Interbev argue plant-based brands misuse traditional meat denominations, while national bans like France’s 2024 decree have been struck down following CJEU-linked rulings.