EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Decision Means
If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names across European Union markets.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers require transparent information and while traditional names must only describe products derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from our livestock: not synthetic production nor plant products," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move political tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
The marks another effort to control these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next faces consideration by European governments, where it needs to obtain majority approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among various politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
