The European Parliament has given its backing to a controversial proposal aimed at restricting the use of certain meat denominations for plant based alternatives. In a vote held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) approved an amendment that seeks to reserve names commonly associated with meat, such as "burger" and "sausage," only for products derived from animals. This decision, which passed with 355 votes in favor, 247 against, and 30 abstentions, has immediately reignited the debate over food labeling, consumer clarity, and the future of the booming plant based food market in the European Union. The proposal was sponsored by French lawmaker Céline Imart and was part of a larger review of the Common Market Organisation regulation intended to strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain.
The vote is seen as a significant win for Europe's livestock and farm unions, who have argued that the current labeling of plant based alternatives is misleading to consumers and poses an unfair competitive threat to their traditional products. They contend that terms like "sausage" and "steak" should be reserved for actual meat to ensure transparency and protect the historical and cultural significance of meat production. However, industry groups, consumer organizations, and environmental advocates strongly oppose the move. They argue that the ban is unnecessary and counterproductive, pointing to surveys that consistently show a vast majority of consumers are not confused by clearly labeled plant based products. They fear that forcing companies to rename established products will create significant administrative complexity and costly rebranding efforts, potentially stifling innovation and slowing down the transition to more sustainable food systems.
The response from the plant based sector was one of disappointment and condemnation. Organizations like ProVeg International and the European Vegetarian Union stressed that the decision undermines the European Union's own Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, which aim to make food systems more sustainable. They argue that easily recognizable names like "veggie burger" actually help consumers choose sustainable options, acting as a clear substitute for the animal product. MEPs who opposed the ban criticized it as a distraction from more pressing issues facing farmers, such as fairer contracts and bargaining power, suggesting the measure caters primarily to the meat lobby's defensive agenda against innovative competitors. The debate highlights a clear political divide between those prioritizing the traditional farming sector's concerns and those advocating for the growth of a future oriented, sustainable food market.
Despite the Parliament's vote, the proposed restrictions are far from becoming law. The measure is an amendment to a regulation and must now undergo trilogue negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union, which represents the governments of the 27 member states. This interinstitutional negotiation process will ultimately determine the final legal text. Given that the European Court of Justice has previously ruled that existing legislation is sufficient to protect consumers from misleading labels, and considering the strong opposition from consumer and environmental groups, the fate of the "veggie burger ban" remains uncertain. Proponents of plant based foods will now focus their lobbying efforts on the Council and the Commission to prevent the Parliament's position from being adopted into the final legislation, as negotiations are set to take place in the coming weeks and months.
