EU lawmakers vote to restrict the use of meat-related terms such as “veggie-burger” and “vegan sausage,” citing the need to protect farmers and clarify food labelling rules.

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The European Parliament has voted to tighten rules on how plant-based foods are marketed, approving restrictions on the use of traditional meat-related terms such as “veggie-burger” and “vegan sausage.”

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Lawmakers backed the amendment by 355 votes to 247, supporting a proposal to reserve terms like burger, steak, sausage, and escalope exclusively for products made with meat. The measure forms part of a broader EU initiative to strengthen farmers’ negotiating power and prevent misleading marketing practices within the food supply chain.

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The final version of the regulation will be negotiated between the European Parliament, the European Commission, and EU member governments. If enacted, it would align meat-labelling standards with existing dairy product rules, which already prevent plant-based alternatives from using terms such as milk, butter, or yoghurt.

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A similar restriction was rejected by MEPs in 2020, signalling a notable shift in the political climate surrounding food labelling and agricultural protections.

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Industry Impact

Analysts say the move could reshape marketing strategies across Europe’s fast-growing plant-based sector, valued at more than €5 billion annually. Food producers may need to rebrand existing products, while traditional meat industry groups are expected to welcome the decision as a win for consumer transparency.

Plant-based food companies and sustainability advocates, however, warn that such restrictions could stifle innovation and confuse consumers accustomed to familiar terminology like veggie-burger or plant-based sausage.

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Source: Reuters,This article is a condensed and independently written summary of original reporting by Reuters (October 8, 2025), adapted for Dalytrading.co.uk

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