Food firms urge Europe not to ban calling non-meat products ‘sausages’

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Robyn VinterFebruary 13, 2026 at 01:01 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

A group of food companies, including Linda McCartney Foods and Quorn, are urging the European Commission to reject a proposed ban on using terms like "sausage" and "burger" for non-meat products. In a joint letter organized by the Vegetarian Society, the companies argue the ban would cause consumer confusion and unnecessary relabeling, such as renaming bean burgers as "patties." They contend that clear ingredient lists are sufficient for consumers to understand what they are buying. Supermarkets Aldi and Lidl, along with some members of parliament, also oppose the ban. The companies believe the proposed restrictions would create an unnecessary regulatory burden and hinder the shift towards sustainable diets. They are calling on European authorities to prioritize policies that support innovation in the plant-based food sector.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Germany 50% David Flochel 50% Council of the European Union ×260% THIS 60% European Parliament ×260% Paul McCartney 60% Aldi 60% Lidl 60% Vegetarian Society ×270% Linda McCartney Foods 70% Quorn ×280% European Commission ×490%

Keywords

non-meat products 90% plant-based foods 80% food labeling 70% european commission 70% burger 60% sausage 60% consumer confusion 50% vegetarian society 50% food industry 40%