The EU has agreed to restrict certain meaty words, but not others, as part of its plant-based label ban. The ban includes words like “beef,” “bacon,” and “drumstick,” but allows form-related words like “burger” and “sausage” to still be used for plant-based products. The ban aims to enhance transparency and enable well-informed consumer choices, although critics argue that it will limit consumer choice and innovation in the vegan food sector.

Negotiators have reached a provisional agreement on the plant-based labeling ban, giving plant-based producers a three-year transition period to comply with the new legislation. The ban comes amidst debates over the labeling of plant-based foods, as the EU also announced new climate targets aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Advocates argue that policies should support the development and uptake of plant-based foods, as they typically have lower environmental footprints than animal-based products and align with goals of climate neutrality.