When is meat really meat? – the EU tightens its legal definition

On 8 October 2025, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate for discussions with EU Member States and the Commission to reform agricultural market organisation rules. A key element of the mandate is a new, stricter legal definition of “meat”: it is defined as “edible parts of animals” and the amendment reserves terms such as “steak”, “escalope”, “sausage”, “burger” and “hamburger” exclusively for products containing animal-derived meat. The text also explicitly prohibits the use of those terms for products derived from cell culture or laboratory processes.

This change forms part of a broader legal package aimed at strengthening farmers’ positions in the food supply chain, improving contractual fairness, and ensuring consumer transparency. Lawmakers argue that clearer labelling will reduce confusion and prevent unfair competition between animal-based and alternative-protein producers.

From a legal perspective, the amendment would alter Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 on the Common Organisation of the Markets in agricultural products by introducing a reserved list of meat-related terms, and by binding labelling requirements in the companion legislation (such as Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers). Once ratified by the Council and Commission, the new rules will apply directly across all Member States without the need for national transposition, which will require the Member States to adjust national enforcement frameworks: designating competent authorities, defining sanction regimes, and possibly adapting domestic legislation enforcing EU food-labelling and agricultural market rules. Naturally, transitional periods are likely to be provided to allow the industry to adapt.

As for the producers of plant-based or cultured-meat alternatives, they will most probably face the obligation to update packaging and marketing materials to comply.

Supporters view the measure as protecting consumers and farmers, while critics warn it could restrict innovation and harm the fast-growing alternative-protein market. Despite the controversy, the reform signals a clear direction: in the EU, “meat” will once again mean only what comes from animals.