EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers require clear labeling and that meat terms should only refer to products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated French MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in this year.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of consumers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Next
This proposal now faces review by European governments, and it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the divided views among various politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal is still uncertain.
