The European Union has banned 31 words on vegan product packaging, aiming—according to the EU—to support farmers who now hold protected names such as “steak” and “liver,” among others.

EU lawmakers agreed to prohibit the use of names associated with meat, such as “steak” and “bacon,” for vegetarian and vegan foods, but terms like “burgers” and “sausages” will remain allowed. On March 5, the EU reached a compromise regarding rules for food labeling, although critics argue that the legislation introduces unnecessary complexity.

The 31 Words Banned for Vegan Products

The EU has agreed to prohibit vegetarian and vegan foods from using the following terms:

beef, veal, pork, poultry, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, lamb, sheep, mutton, goat, chicken drumstick, fillet (veal), sirloin, flank, pork fillet, steak, ribs, shoulder, shank, rib chop, wing, breast, liver, thigh, brisket, ribeye, T-bone, knuckle, and bacon.

Despite being among the most popular, the EU decision allows companies to continue using terms like “burger” (or “veggie burger”) and “sausage” on their labels. This means products advertised as “vegetarian burgers” or “vegan sausages” will still appear in supermarkets.

The restrictions also extend to “cultivated meat” (meat produced from animal cells), even though it is not yet commercially available.

The EU has agreed to a three-year transitional period, allowing producers to sell existing stock and adapt to the new rules.

However, the agreement still requires formal approval, followed by a final vote in the European Parliament plenary—meaning last-minute changes are still possible.

Why Certain Words Are Banned on Vegan Products

The European Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement aimed at giving farmers a “stronger negotiating position” in the food supply chain. In addition to making written contracts between farmers and buyers a general requirement, the amendment to the common organization of agricultural markets also strengthens protection of terms referring to meat.

French MEP Céline Hervieux-Imbert led the push to regulate plant-based labeling, calling the agreement an “undeniable success for our farmers.” “By securing the use of terms like ‘steak’ and ‘liver’ for our farmers’ products and committing to expand the list in future negotiations, the Parliament has taken a decisive step forward,” she added. Hervieux-Imbert argued that stricter rules on these terms will help preserve agricultural and culinary heritage.

Cypriot Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, holding the rotating EU presidency, said: “By improving support for farmers and strengthening the role of producer organizations, we provide farmers with additional tools to secure a more predictable and sustainable future.”

Longstanding Debate Over Plant-Based Food Labels

The question of how plant-based foods can be labeled has been debated across the EU for years. In 2020, the European Parliament rejected an earlier proposal, known as “Amendment 165,” which sought to ban terms like “burger,” “sausage,” and “steak” for plant-based foods.

At that time, supporters argued that familiar names helped consumers understand how the products could be used in cooking.

Similar rules already apply to dairy substitutes in the EU, where plant-based products cannot be labeled “milk,” “cheese,” or “yogurt,” with limited exceptions such as coconut milk or peanut butter.

Proponents of the new restrictions argue they help protect livestock farmers and prevent unfair competition. Critics say the rules are unnecessary and may cause confusion rather than prevent it.

Criticism of the EU Decision: “Consumers Will Be Confused”

Dutch Green MEP Anna Strolenberg said she was relieved that the proposed ban on terms like “veggie burger” did not pass but criticized the inclusion of other words on the prohibited list.

Consumer groups have also voiced concerns. Augustin Reyna, Director General of the European Consumer Organization (BEUC), said the restrictions could make it harder for consumers trying to include more plant-based foods in their diets.

Supporters of plant-based labeling argue that there is little evidence that consumers struggle to distinguish meat from vegan products. According to a 2025 survey by Radar, 96% of respondents said they could clearly tell the difference between vegan sausages and meat sausages, while 75% reported no confusion about plant-based labeling.

Supporters argue that familiar food terms simply help consumers understand how products can be cooked or used—for example, whether something is shaped like a burger or intended for a sandwich.