EU to ban meat-related terms for plant-based foodAFP, BRUSSELSEU member states and lawmakers on Thursday agreed to ban using meat-related terms such as “steak” and “bacon” to market plant-based foods — but spared veggie “burgers” and “sausages.”The decision is a win for Europe’s livestock farmers, many of whom said that plant-based foods which mimic meat are potentially misleading for consumers, threatening their already troubled sector. Photo: APA / AFPIt “recognizes the value of livestock farmers’ work and protects their products, fruits of unique know-how, against a form of unfair competition,” she said. Food retailers in Germany, Europe’s largest market for plant-based alternative products, had spoken out against it, along with environmentalists and consumer advocates. EU consumption of plant-based alternatives has grown five-fold since 2011, BEUC said. “Fortunately, the conservative word police have failed to ban the ‘veggie burger,’” lawmaker Anna Strolenberg said.

Source: Taipei Times March 06, 2026 17:13 UTC