Going Ham: EU Lawmakers Seek to Expand Scope of ‘Veggie Burger’ Labelling Ban

The European Parliament is considering expanding the ban on plant-based meat labels to include terms like 'burger' and 'nuggets', which were previously exempt. This proposal is facing strong opposition from politicians, food manufacturers, and trade associations, including calls to delete the blacklist entirely or ease its implementation. The ban on terms like 'burger' and 'nuggets' has been criticized as unnecessary and potentially harmful to the single market, as it could lead to fragmentation across the EU.

The proposed changes to the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulation contradict the EU's protein diversification drive and could create legal uncertainty for cross-border trade. The NoConfusion Coalition, representing over 600 companies, is leading the charge against the expansion of the ban, calling for the focus to be redirected to measures that genuinely help farmers cope with challenges like drought and climate volatility instead of introducing unnecessary red tape for plant-based products.