EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
During a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Signifies
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that consumers need transparent labeling and while meat terms must only describe products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first effort to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing established terms would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now requires consideration by European governments, where it must obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
