MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Promoting the consumption of plant-based foods, introducing EU-wide vegan and vegetarian labels, and clarifying the wording of labelling – E-002799/2025

Question for written answer  E-002799/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anja Hazekamp (The Left), Sebastian Everding (The Left), Tilly Metz (Verts/ALE), Anna Strolenberg (Verts/ALE)

Food consumption patterns play a crucial role in addressing climate change. Scientists have stressed the need for a shift towards more plant-based diets, benefiting both the environment and health[1]. The growing availability of diverse plant-based products in EU supermarkets has enabled consumers to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets, supporting a more balanced protein intake.

• 1.What measures will the Commission propose to encourage citizens to diversify their protein sources and to promote increased consumption of plant-based foods, as recommended by the scientific community?
• 2.Will the Commission consider proposing an EU-wide label for vegan and vegetarian products, as recommended by the European Court of Auditors in 2024[2]?
• 3.Food labelling is essential to inform consumers about the composition, taste, texture and versatility of products. In 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that plant-based foods can continue to be sold and promoted using terms normally associated with meat, as long as their composition is clearly labelled and does not mislead consumers. Will the Commission respect this ruling when proposing the new common agricultural policy or other additional rules, including those that will also affect non-agricultural foodstuffs?

Supporter[3]

Submitted: 9.7.2025

• [1] EAT-Lancet Commission report ‘Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems’.
• [2] https://www.eca.europa.eu/en/publications/SR-2024-23.
• [3] This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE)