EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers need transparent labeling and while traditional names should only refer to items from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not synthetic production or plant products," said France's lawmaker CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Context
The isn't the first attempt to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that most shoppers understand product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, and it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among both politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.