When is a burger not a burger?
EU legislators were debating that question this week - and they've come to the conclusion that meat-free options don't make the cut.
The European Parliament Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development voted in favour of a proposal to ban words like "burger," "hamburger", "steak" or "sausage" on the packaging and marketing of foods "primarily made up of proteins of vegetable origin".
The amendment will make sure meat related terms and names are to be used "exclusively for edible parts of the animals".
The Guardian reports the term "veggie disc" could be mooted as a possible name for meat-free patties among other options.
French socialist MEP Eric Andrieu argues the restrictions are "common sense" and are influenced by Europe's rich appreciation of cuisine.
MEP Eric Andrieu is a member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Source: AFP
"We felt that steak should be kept as real steak," he said at a press conference.
"It has generated a considerable debate among the political groups and a large majority wanted to clarify things. Particularly in the light of history, the history we share, you can have a steak or burger, you can’t call it something else."
Mr Andrieu denied claims that the meat lobby played a role in shaping the proposal and says there was widespread support for clarification on the issue.
People need to know what they are eating. So people who want to eat less meat know what they are eating – people know what is on their plate.
The proposal was greeted with outrage from environmentalists and howls of laughter from EU sceptics.
Harriet Bradley, an agriculture policy officer with NGO Birdlife told Politico the agriculture committee had "declared war on our future."
"Dodos aren't extinct, they serve on the agriculture committee," she said.
"Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence that a transition toward a more plant-based diet is crucial for our survival, the reactionary MEPs enslaved to the intensive farm lobby want to forbid calling vegetarian alternatives ... meat with meat-sounding names."
