Meat rules in EU row over veggie burgers

Meat-free burgers could be renamed 'discs' or 'fingers' after EU vote

Veggie burgers could be renamed by a vote by the European Parliament over fears meat-eaters could be confused. Getty 

The veggie burger option has become increasingly ubiquitous on menus over the years.

But this could all change after an EU vote on Wednesday, as MEPs are proposing a change of terminology.

Under the plans, meat-free burgers could be renamed as "discs" or "fingers".

The vote by MEPs in the European Parliament relates to the use of the word "burger" being reserved for products which contain meat, following a rise in popularity of meat-free products.

There have been concerns raised by the livestock and meat industries that the use of terms that were once exclusively meat-related in vegetarian products could confuse consumers.

The proposal is being discussed as part of reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. One of the proposed amendments says that "the meat-related terms shall be reserved exclusively for edible parts of the animals".

It suggests that designations such as "steak, sausage, escalope, burger and hamburger" should be "reserved exclusively for products containing meat".

The global meat-free market last year made $4.53 billion in the sale of its products. Europe’s share of the market reached $1.72bn.

It is estimated this share of the market could grow to $7.12bn worldwide and $2.62bn in Europe by 2025, although these figures are swamped by the $1 trillion global meat market.

Other amendments being discussed include a ban on the terms "yogurt style", "cheese substitute" and “creamy”, with the aim of preventing consumers from being misled.