European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products

In a major vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.

What the Vote Means

Should this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU countries.

However, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is uncertain.

Key Debate Surrounding the Measure

Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while meat terms should exclusively describe products from animals.

"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.

Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.

"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Previous Attempts and Judicial Context

This marks another effort to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.

The French government previously enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in this year.

Business and Public Response

Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering familiar terms would mislead shoppers.

Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that most shoppers understand product labels when products are properly marked as vegetarian.

"Nearly 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.

What Comes Next

The legislative measure next faces review by European governments, and it must secure broad approval to be enacted.

Given the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.