EU Bans Plant-Based Bacon Names

The list of now-banned terms for plant-based alternatives is extensive, including "steak," "ribs," "chicken," "pork," and "liver". The move is seen as a significant victory for European livestock farmers who have long argued that such terminology is misleading to consumers. French MEP Céline Imart, who championed the amendment, called the agreement an "undeniable success for our livestock farmers". This decision concludes a debate that has been ongoing at the EU level since at least 2019. Farming lobby group Copa-Cogeca has been a vocal proponent, referring to the use of meat-related terms on plant-based products as "cultural hijacking". The ban also preemptively extends to products from cellular agriculture, which are not yet widely available on the EU market. Conversely, plant-based food producers and advocacy groups have heavily criticized the ban, arguing it will create unnecessary red tape and could confuse consumers who are familiar with the current terms. More than 20 companies, including major brands like Quorn and Beyond Meat, had previously sent an open letter to the EU urging them to reject the ban. Despite the new restrictions, some widely used descriptive terms will remain permissible for plant-based products, provided they are clearly labeled as such. This exception for names like "burger," "sausage," and "nuggets" was a key point of contention, with campaigners arguing these terms have been used for decades to describe the shape of a product, not its ingredients. The final text of the regulation will be formalized before heading for a final vote in the European Parliament and adoption by the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Once the legislation is in full effect, food producers will have a three-year transition period to update their packaging and marketing materials to comply with the new rules.