European Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed across EU markets.
However, for the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers need clear labeling and that traditional names should only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first effort to control these names. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering familiar names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of consumers comprehend these names as long as products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Next
The proposal now faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to obtain broad approval to become law.
Considering the mixed opinions within both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
