European Parliament wants origin labels on processed meat

European Parliament wants origin labels on processed meat

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution to add a label to all processed meat with the origin of the meat, previously only required for "fresh" meat. The Commission now has to draft a proposal to implement the resolution.

A large majority

Prior to the resolution, such labels were only required for fresh or frozen (unprocessed) meat. That meant for example that a steak had to contain this information, while a spicy hamburger did not, merely because of the additional processing. 


A large majority (460 in favour, 204 against, 33 abstained) of the European Parliament has now voted in favour of the resolution which demands the information about the meat's origin is on all types of meat, whether it is processed or not. 


The food industry had its doubts about the resolution, questioning whether the current security checks are not sufficient enough. "We understand the question to mention the origin of food on the label, but it will make food more expensive", Belgian industry organization Fevia said. A study issued by the European Commission also came to that conclusion, predicting a 20 - 50 % price increase.