The European Parliament has reached a compromise on the naming of vegetarian meat alternatives, permitting vegetarian products to continue using the terms "burger", "schnitzel", "sausage", and "nuggets." However, the new regulations will prohibit plant-based substitutes from using terms typically associated with specific types of meat such as "chicken" or "beef." Words like "steak," "bacon," "liver," and "ribs" will also be reserved exclusively for animal-based products.
The compromise reached in Strasbourg follows a proposal by French MEP Céline Imart, who cited the protection of French beef farmers' interests among her motivations.
A majority of consumer protection advocates opposed the ban. Luxembourg MEP Tilly Metz of the Green Party (Déi Gréng) also criticised the compromise, arguing that it serves no one – including farmers. Rather than focusing on label protection, Metz contended that farmers require tangible policy support from lawmakers.
