The legislation aims to prevent plant-based products from being marketed using terms such as steak, chicken, pork and liver. However, the European Snacks Association warned that its wording could also affect meat-flavoured crisps, despite no suggestion that they contain meat.

“Meaty names in the flavour description might be in scope,” Olivier Devaux, of the association, told Politico, warning of “legal uncertainty” and calling for clarification.

British producers could also be affected if they sell into Northern Ireland, which follows hundreds of EU rules to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.

The proposed ban includes 31 terms and would also prevent laboratory-grown products from being labelled as meat. A three-year transition period is planned.

Three centre-right MEPs have proposed exempting flavourings, but it is unclear whether the amendment will secure majority support. Other MEPs want to extend the restrictions to terms including burger, chorizo, black pudding and mortadella.

The proposals were championed by French farmers concerned about the treatment of meat products. French MEP and cereal farmer Celine Imart called the legislation “an undeniable success for our livestock farmers”.

She added: “A steak, an escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock, not laboratory art nor plant products. There is a need for transparency and clarity for the consumer and recognition for the work of our farmers.”

Opponents argue the rules would impose unnecessary bureaucracy on producers of plant-based alternatives.

Sir Paul McCartney, 83, who has been vegetarian since 1975, said last year: “To stipulate that burgers and sausages are plant-based, vegetarian or vegan should be enough for sensible people to understand what they are eating. This also encourages attitudes essential to our health and that of the planet.”