BRUSSELS - EU member states and lawmakers agreed on Thursday to ban using meat-related terms such as "steak" and "bacon" to market plant-based foods -- but spared veggie "burgers" and "sausage". The decision marks a win for Europe's livestock farmers, many of whom argue that plant-based foods which mimic meat are potentially misleading for consumers, threatening their already troubled sector. It "recognises the value of livestock farmers' work and protects their products, fruits of unique know-how, against a form of unfair competition," she said. EU consumption of plant-based alternatives to meat products has grown five-fold since 2011, according to data from BEUC. "Fortunately, the conservative word police have failed to ban the 'veggie burger'," said Anna Strolenberg, a lawmaker with the Greens group.

Source: Bangkok Post March 06, 2026 14:05 UTC