EU to ban more than 30 plant-based labels, not 'burger' and 'sausage'

Beyond Meat's Filet Steak, a whole plant-based steak, is displayed at the Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on March 5, 2026. DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP

EU member states and lawmakers agreed on Thursday, March 5, to ban using meat-related terms such as "steak" and "bacon" to market plant-based foods – but spared veggie "burgers" and "sausage." The decision marks a win for Europe's livestock farmers, many of whom argue that plant-based foods that mimic meat are potentially misleading for consumers, threatening their already troubled sector.

Céline Imart, a cereal farmer and right-wing lawmaker from France who sponsored the plan, hailed the deal as an "undeniable success." It "recognizes the value of livestock farmers' work and protects their products, fruits of unique know-how, against a form of unfair competition," she said.

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Farming union chief walks a tightrope in France's war on veggie steaks