What the burger?

On Wednesday 19 June, the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will ask experts whether a proposal from the European Parliament to ban the use of words like ‘sausage’ and ‘burger’ to describe foods that don’t contain meat is in the interests of consumers.

In early April, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development agreed to seek to restrict the use of descriptions like ‘sausage’, ‘burger’ and ‘steak’ to apply only to products containing meat and not to vegetarian alternatives.

The Committee intends to hold a roundtable to discuss the proposal with a range of relevant stakeholders.

Participants in the roundtable include Ruth Edge, National Farmers’ Union; Laura Sears, Vegetarian Society; Jackie Kearney, chef; Mark Banahan, Vegan Society; Geoff Bryant, Quorn Foods.

Any evidence of confusion?

Farmers across Europe have argued that using names that usually apply to meat-based products misleads consumers about the nature and nutritional value of the food they are purchasing.

The Committee will ask whether there is any evidence that consumers are confused by the use of terms such as ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ to describe vegetarian products.

Others, on the other hand, argue that the proposal would make food packaging less clear for consumers and would have a disproportionate impact on vegans and small vegan businesses.