EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Means
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it must gain support from most of the EU's 27 countries, which is uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only describe items from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not laboratory art or plant products," stated France's MEP CĂ©line Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France previously introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that most shoppers understand these names as long as items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology provided products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next requires review by EU member states, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
