The EU’s ban on the use of ‘meaty’ names for meat substitutes, such as ‘chicken’, ‘beef’ and ‘pork’, is likely to go ahead.
The decision came following a trilogue between European Parliament, Council and Commission, where the three parties agreed to ban 31 terms in total.
However, some terms, including ‘burger’, ‘sausage’, and ‘nuggets’, are exempt. Fish-related names also remain excluded.
Other terms, including ‘steak’ and ‘liver’, were added to the ban list.
The ban was also preemptively extended to include novel foods such as cellular agriculture, despite the fact that these are not yet on the EU market.
Banned words
Beef; Veal; Pork; Poultry; Chicken; Turkey; Duck; Goose; Lamb; Mutton; Ovine; Goat; Drumstick;
Tenderloin; Sirloin; Flank; Loin; Ribs; Shoulder; Shank; Chop; Wing; Breast; Thigh; Brisket; Ribeye;
T-bone; Rump; Bacon; Steak; Liver
Producers will be given three years after the ban enters into force to exhaust stock.
While there is one further stage before the ban comes into effect – member states still need to approve the ban – this is believed by many to be a mere formality, according to the European Vegetarian Union.
The ban was initially introduced as part of a proposal to review regulations around the EU’s Common Market Organisation (CMO).
