EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that is uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent labeling and while meat terms should only describe products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the move populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another attempt to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that most consumers understand these names as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand these names provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now requires review by European governments, where it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
