European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain support from most of the 27 EU countries, which is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require clear information and while meat terms must only describe items from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Context
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France previously introduced a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names provided products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next faces review by EU member states, where it must obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
