EU: Compromise on names for plant-based meat alternatives

Last autumn, members of the European Parliament proposed a measure that would have banned the use of meat-related names for plant-based meat alternatives. 

After lengthy negotiations, negotiators from the EU member states and the European Parliament have now reached a compromise. Under the agreement, names such as “veggie burger” or “vegetarian bratwurst” will remain permitted. However, products may no longer be marketed using animal names or certain meat-related terms. Expressions such as “veggie chicken” or “veggie bacon” would therefore no longer be allowed. 

The negotiated compromise is set to apply until the end of 2027 but still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council. As part of the upcoming reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the debate over the naming of plant-based meat alternatives could be taken up again.