The European Parliament has postponed its decision on a key issue for the meat and agri-food sector: the use of meat-related terms in plant-based products that imitate the shape, presentation and names of meat products, such as plant-based burgers or sausages. Due to the lack of consensus among parliamentary groups, the debate will resume next year.
The discussion follows parliamentary support for a proposal aimed at reserving certain meat-related terms exclusively for products of animal origin, in order to prevent consumer confusion and ensure clear and accurate food information. However, despite being part of a broader set of initiatives designed to protect European farmers and livestock producers, no final agreement was reached.
Organisations supporting this measure argue that the current labelling system may mislead consumers and undermine the value and recognition of meat products. In this regard, the French interbranch organisation Interbev has stated that the use of meat-related names for plant-based products “confuses consumers and weakens the recognition” of meat and meat products.
In Spain, several sector organisations —including Anice, Anfaco-Cecopesca, Avianza and Cedecarne— launched the initiative #CadaCosaPorSuNombre, aimed at raising public awareness about the risks of food misinformation. The campaign highlights the need for clear labelling that allows consumers to properly identify the nature and nutritional value of products, avoiding dietary imbalances caused by confusing or misleading messages.
The postponement of the decision reflects the complexity of the debate and the coexistence of different dietary models within the European Union. For the meat sector, this process is crucial not only from a commercial perspective, but also in terms of transparency, fair competition and the defence of a production model that meets high standards of quality, food safety and sustainability.
ANAFRIC will continue to closely monitor the evolution of this debate within the European institutions, given its direct impact on the market, consumer information and the future of the Spanish meat sector.
