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The European Parliament says no to “vegetable steak”

by AI | 08.Oct 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Finished the vegetarian burger? The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to ban the use of terms like steak, sausage, or hamburger for products that do not contain meat.

A vegetarian burger is showcased at the international meat fair IFFA in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany, on May 6, 2019. (Photo: Daniel ROLAND / AFP)

European Parliament (Strasbourg, France) – MEPs supported by 355 votes to 247 a proposal from the right banning terms like “vegetable steak” to avoid “confusion” with meat products.

But the debate is far from over. The measure still needs to be negotiated with the 27 European states.

According to right-wing MEP Céline Imart, who initiated the text adopted on Wednesday, “it is about transparency and clarity for the consumer and recognition for the work of our farmers.”

There is “absolutely no question of banning plant-based alternatives, but I am committed to valuing the terms, to their true meaning,” adds this French elected official.

Consumer organizations, on the other hand, expressed their “disappointment.”

“Nearly 70% of European consumers understand these names as long as the products are clearly labeled as vegan or vegetarian,” claims Irina Popescu, a representative of the European Consumer Union (BEUC).

According to this organization, the consumption of vegetarian products mimicking meat has quintupled since 2011. (October 8, 2025)