EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant vote this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure becomes law, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require clear information and while meat terms must exclusively refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not laboratory art or plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
The marks another effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that most consumers comprehend product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand these names provided products are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now faces review by EU member states, where it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.