European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Means
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
Key Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent information and while meat terms must exclusively refer to products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the decision political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
The marks another effort to regulate these terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, where it must secure broad support to become law.
Given the mixed views among both politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.