European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Means
Should this proposal is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers need clear information and that meat terms must exclusively refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Context
This marks another attempt to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering established names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when items are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal now requires review by European governments, and it must obtain majority support to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
