Don't We Have Other Problems? Thoughts On The EU Veggie Burger Ban

In recent weeks, the political and legal debate in the EU surrounding the future permissibility of meat-typical names for plant-based products has once again intensified. The motion debated in the European Parliament, and voted on 09 October 2025, has initiated a ban on names such as "veggie burger" or "veggie sausage". Terms such as "steak", "schnitzel", "hamburger", and "sausage" will in future be reserved exclusively for foods of animal origin.

355 members of the EU parliament in Strasbourg voted in favour of the corresponding amendment to the law, while 247 voted against it. Manufacturers of plant-based meat alternatives – a market segment with a sales volume of around EUR 760 million in Germany – would be compelled to comprehensively rename their product ranges in this case. In addition to trademark rights, this would particularly affect packaging design, trade listings, IT systems, and all external communication.