Disc instead of burger: Europe is ready to ban “meat” words for plant products

The European Union may ban meat-free products from being called "burgers" and "sausages". A vote in the European Parliament on this issue is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21.

As vegetarian equivalents to "burger" and "sausage", the bill proposes to use the names "disk" and "stick", notes Euronews.

European farmers have taken the initiative to ban vegetarian and vegan alternatives from meat products. In their opinion, products of plant origin under "meat" names will confuse consumers: instead of a burger, which refers to minimally processed meat, they will receive a highly processed plant product.

Opponents of the bill, who are supported by Unilever and Nestle, among others, say that consumers are aware of what they are buying, and the ban will run counter to the EU's commitment to healthier eating, writes The Guardian.

• In 2017, the European Court of Justice prohibited the sale of purely vegetable products in the form of "soy milk" or "vegetable cheese". The new bill proposes extending the ban on plant product names using the words "replacement" or "flavored" milk equivalents.

• in several US states The use of the name "veggie burgers" is banned .

• The new ban will also apply to plant-based artificial meats.
• EU residents generally don't mind calling a vegetable patty a burger. According to a survey of residents in 11 EU countries, almost 70% of respondents do not see a problem at all or on the condition that the product is clearly labeled as a vegetable.