European Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need clear labeling and while traditional names should only describe products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not laboratory art nor plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
This marks another attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that the majority of consumers understand these names when products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize these names provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure next faces review by EU member states, and it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
