EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a major decision this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need clear information and while meat terms must exclusively describe items derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering established names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure next faces review by European governments, and it must obtain broad support to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions within various lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal is still unclear.
