‘Smoky bacon’ crisps and ‘chicken’ Pot Noodles could soon disappear from UK supermarkets

Our favourite snacks get be about to get a makeover (Picture: Susannah Ireland/ AFP/Getty) In bad news for fans of smoky bacon Walkers crisps and chicken Pot Noodle, you might not see them on the shelves come 2030. At least, not with their current names. Products like this face being banned after a new deal with the EU which forbids the use of meat-related terms to describe veggie food. So, anything with a type of meat in the name, and no actual meat in the product, will not appear on our shelves as they do now. Take Bacon Rashers crisps, for example. Vegan and vegetarian products like Quorn’s Peppered Steaks, This 100% plant based Fillet Steak, and Linda McCartney’s Vegan Shredded Chicken, will all also be forced to change the names of their products because they don’t actually contain meat. The rules are designed to avoid customers getting confused. However, ‘veggie burgers’ and ‘plant-based sausages’ will be exempt from these changes. The list of words that will not be able to be affiliated with plant-based food includes, but isn’t limited to: meat, steak, thigh, breast, drumstick, fillet, ribs, chicken, beef and bacon. Products like these Walkers crisps will need a name change to abide by the rules (Picture: Walkers) These changes come despite a 2025 survey of 20,000 people by Radar, where 96% of respondents said they could clearly tell the difference between vegan and meat sausages, while 75% reported no confusion about plant-based product labelling. Claire Ogley, head of campaigns, policy and research at The Vegan Society branded the ban ‘pointless and ridiculous’. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. ‘There is no evidence to suggest people are confused by commonly used food names,’ she tells Metro. ‘They weren’t confused by “vegan sausages” or “plant-based burgers”… and they aren’t confused by crisp flavours now. ‘Might “Flame-Grilled Steak Flavour” become “Plant Protein Slab Taste”? Patently, this is just daft and any such moves will just make it harder for people to buy the products they know and love.’ Why is this happening? If you’re wondering why your favourite snacks and foods will have to change their names by 2030, it’s due to the UK getting closer with the EU once more. The UK and EU have agreed to a food and drink deal, which is meant to help increase trade. As a result Britain will follow EU plant and animal health rules, including on labelling, to reduce the need for some border checks and certificates. But, Claire and other animal rights campaigners have denounced these changes as doing more harm than good. ‘This is all smoke and mirrors – a protectionist panic move by powerful meat and dairy lobbies who are trying to turn the tide of increasing numbers of people who are following compassionate, healthy and environmentally-friendly lifestyles by avoiding animal products,’ Claire says. ‘EU politicians should stop answering questions that nobody, other than the meat and dairy lobbies, are asking.’ Vegan meat-substitute products are facing some big changes, too (Picture: Getty Images) She adds that forcing food companies (both vegan and non-vegan brands) to completely change labelling and packaging will be costly, and warns those costs could be passed on to consumers. ‘Vegans should look for a label such as the Vegan Trademark, which is widely recognised and makes it clear that a product is fully vegan – and do meat eaters care if their ‘steak flavour’ crisps don’t contain any meat?’ Claire says. But, when questioned about these changes, environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle told the Times Radio interviewer to ‘get a life’. Angela argued it was important to allow farmers and food producers to export into Europe again with less difficulty. So, savour your favourite snacks while you can, because in a few short years, chances are they won’t look the same anymore. Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday These Simba Black Friday deals are too good for tired shoppers to ignore Metro contacted Pot Noodle and Walkers for comment. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Burger King fan labelled ‘snitch’ for uncovering free Whopper meal glitch Arrow MORE: Winter’s biggest trends have landed at the supermarket and prices start at £16 Arrow MORE: Lidl is giving away 5,000 free cookies this week to shoppers nationwide The Slice Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.