EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal 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, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent information and while meat terms should only refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the move pointless regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another effort to control these names. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France previously introduced a national restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing established names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand product labels when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology provided items are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure next faces review by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
