European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure becomes law, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it must gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that customers require clear information and while traditional names must only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
This marks another effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that altering established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize these names as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces consideration by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority support to become law.
Given the divided opinions within various politicians and the public, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
