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Foodwatch Legal Opinion Says EU Plan to Ban ‘Veggie‑Burger’ Names Is Unlawful

The consumer group cites an EU court ruling to influence talks entering a potentially final round this week.

Overview

  • The Foodwatch-commissioned analysis argues the draft conflicts with an October 2024 European Court of Justice ruling and the EU Food Information Regulation.
  • Negotiators expect a decisive session on Wednesday, and any agreement would still require approval by a majority of EU member states.
  • The proposal, introduced by the centre-right EPP in the European Parliament, passed there despite many German CDU/CSU members voting against it.
  • The legal opinion criticizes wording that would reserve terms like “Wurst” and “Schnitzel” for edible animal parts, noting it could even bar a breaded schnitzel from being called a schnitzel.
  • Foodwatch director Chris Methmann urges Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer to block the measure, citing a Forsa poll showing most German consumers oppose stricter naming rules.