European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, which is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that consumers require clear information and while traditional names should exclusively describe products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another effort to regulate these names. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that most consumers comprehend product labels as long as products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal next faces review by European governments, and it must secure broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions within both lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
