Brussels, October 8, 2025 — The European Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of banning the use of meat-related terms such as “steak,” “burger,” and “sausage” on plant-based food products — a move that has sparked debate across political, consumer, and environmental circles.
- Lawmakers voted 532 to 78 to reserve “meat-related” labels for animal-based products, defining meat as “edible parts of animals.”
- The measure aims to stop what some call “misleading” labeling by banning plant-based and lab-grown foods from using terms like steak, burger, or sausage.
- The proposal will go to a parliamentary committee, then to the European Commission and the EU’s 27 member states for further review.
French MEP Céline Imart, the lead rapporteur and a former livestock farmer, emphasized during the debate that the move is about both clarity for consumers and recognition of traditional farming practices.
“I accept that steak, cutlet or sausage are products from our livestock farms. Full stop. No laboratory substitutes, no plant-based products,” Imart stated. “This is also about transparency and fairness for both consumers and our farmers.”
Environmental groups, plant-based food advocates, and some members of Parliament have criticized the decision, arguing that existing labels do not easily mislead consumers.
Austrian MEP Anna Stürgkh, from the liberal NEOS party, criticized the motion as unnecessary and patronizing.
“A beef tomato doesn’t contain any beef, and ladies’ fingers are not made of actual ladies’ fingers,” she quipped. “Let’s trust consumers and stop this hot dog populism.”
- The ruling comes amid a growing market for plant-based foods across the EU, driven by environmental, health, and ethical concerns. However, increasing calls for regulatory clarity within the bloc’s single market have arisen due to legal ambiguity over how such products can be marketed.
- While the EU is not banning plant-based alternatives themselves, this vote signals a shift toward stricter labelling standards — a development that could impact everything from supermarket shelves to restaurant menus in the coming years.
Also explore: Our in-depth article on the Plant-based Meat Labelling