EU Parliament to Vote on Controversial Plant-Based Food Label Ban
The European Parliament is set to vote on a contentious proposal to ban certain terms for plant-based foods. The move, championed by right-wing EU lawmaker Celine Imart, aims to prevent consumer confusion. The ban, if approved, would align with existing European rules and is supported by the French livestock and meat industry body, Interbev.
The proposed ban would extend to a wide range of labels, including 'burger' and 'vegan sausage'. The initiative, backed by the conservative European People's Party (EPP) and individual MEPs, seeks to reserve these terms exclusively for meat products. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The proposal has sparked debate. Green EU lawmaker Anna Strolenberg criticized it, arguing that it targets innovative food competitors. Major German supermarkets like Lidl and Aldi have also raised concerns about the potential economic impact. The political landscape has shifted since a similar proposal was rejected in 2020, following the 2024 European elections.
The fate of the proposal remains uncertain. While Imart champions the ban, the leader of her party, Manfred Weber, has stated that it's 'not at all a priority'. The European Parliament's vote will determine whether plant-based foods will need to adopt new terminology, potentially reshaping the way consumers understand and purchase these products.
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