Bye bye veggie-burger? EU debates names for plant-based products

If you reach for veggie sausage or a vegan burger in the supermarket today, you might not see these names on the shelves for much longer. A majority in the Agriculture Committee of the EU Parliament wants terms like steak, schnitzel, burger, or sausage to be used exclusively for products of animal origin. The plenary vote on this proposal is expected at the end of October.

Initiative from conservatives

The move comes from the conservative EPP group. Their rapporteur, Céline Imart, stresses that a steak has to be made of meat. Only then, she argues, can labels be honest, farmers be protected, and Europe’s culinary traditions preserved. Lab-grown meat is also rejected by the EPP, which sees it as a misguided path and a threat to traditional agriculture.

Criticism over populism

The Greens are sharply critical. “No one will confuse a seitan schnitzel with a veal schnitzel,” says agriculture spokesperson Thomas Waitz. In his view, the EPP’s plan limits consumer choice and exploits farmers for political populism.

EU commission pushes stricter rules

The EPP, however, is not alone. The EU Commission is also working on tightening the market rules to protect traditional meat labels. The aim is to strengthen European livestock farming. How the debate ends will be decided in the coming weeks.