Overview

• Lawmakers will consider an amendment reserving terms such as burger, schnitzel, steak and wurst for foods that contain meat, as part of a broader farm-sector reform.
• Backers led by EPP MEP Céline Imart cite consumer confusion and the need to protect farmers and culinary traditions, with German leaders Friedrich Merz and Alois Rainer voicing support.
• Consumer advocates including BEUC, Foodwatch and Germany’s consumer federation say surveys show no widespread confusion and call instead for clear vegan or vegetarian labeling.
• The NGG food workers’ union and major companies such as Aldi, Lidl, Burger King, Beyond Meat and Rügenwalder Mühle warn a ban would force costly rebranding and hinder sales, especially in Germany’s large plant-based market.
• Even with a parliamentary yes, the measure would not be law and would move into negotiations with the 27 member states, against a backdrop of existing EU limits on terms like “milk” and German guidelines that currently allow meat-analogue names when clearly labeled.