Plant-based options like veggie burgers and soy yogurt have become staples, clearly labeled as meat- and dairy-free. But is the terminology misleading?
According to the European Parliament, terms such as 'burger,' 'sausage,' 'steak,' or dairy references for plant-based products confuse consumers. They advocate banning these for vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Consider peanut butter—no cheese involved—or hot dogs, which aren't dogs. Common sense tells us veggie burgers contain no meat, much like vegetable soup might include some.
The European Parliament's Agriculture Committee approved the ban on meat-related names for vegetarian products by a strong margin (25-6) yesterday. However, it's not final. The full Parliament will vote post-European elections in late May, followed by approval from the European Commission and member states.
ProVeg International argues consumers select these products for their familiar flavors, explicitly marketed as meat-free—a key selling point. With improving quality in meat substitutes, packaging leaves no doubt. ProVeg, alongside Greenpeace, the European Vegetarian Union, and BirdLife, plans to lobby against the proposal to prevent a full ban.
Also read: You save this by not eating meat for a week
