EU Politicians Seek To Expand Plant-Based Label Ban Weeks After Record Heatwaves

Several MEPs in the European Parliament are seeking to expand the EU plant-based label ban to include more meat-related terms in response to recent record-breaking heatwaves in Europe. The ban, which was initially passed in June and restricted the use of 31 different words, did not cover general terms like sausage or burger. The proposed amendments would include terms such as steak, sausage, and burger, among others, in the ban to further restrict the labeling of plant-based products.

Critics of the ban argue that it could lead to confusion, increase costs, and hinder innovation in the plant-based food sector. The European Alliance for Plant-based Foods has renewed its opposition to the ban, stating that it could penalize manufacturers, farmers, and consumers, creating instability and making it harder to achieve the EU’s Protein Action Plan. The debate on the amendments began in early September, with a committee vote expected in December and a potential plenary vote in 2027.