Words such as “sausage” and “burger” can be used to describe meat products, according to Defra Minister of State Zac Goldsmith.

In a letter to the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee about a proposal from the European Parliament to ban the use of such words when referring to vegetarian products, the minister said consumers are not being misled.

Earlier in the year the committee wrote to the Government with concerns that the EU proposal did not have the evidence to justify it, saying the change would be costly for vegetarian businesses, and could put people off reducing their meat intake for health or environmental reasons.

Where they are clearly and honestly labelled, as the large majority are, consumers are not at all misled

Goldsmith said: “Vegetarian sausages and burgers have been on the UK and European market for many years now and where they are clearly and honestly labelled, as the large majority are, consumers are not at all misled.” He also agreed that existing legislation protects consumers from misleading information, and that it is important to avoid creating barriers for new foods.

The committee has replied to the minister and has asked for more details on the Government’s position if the proposal is put forward during negotiations on Common Agricultural Policy reform.