EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers need clear labeling and while meat terms should exclusively refer to items from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are products from our livestock: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The isn't the first effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that most consumers understand product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand these names as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal is still uncertain.
