European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters argue that customers require transparent labeling and that traditional names should exclusively refer to products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
This isn't the first effort to control these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand product labels when products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal now requires consideration by EU member states, where it needs to obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
