EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
During a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, which is uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that customers need transparent labeling and that meat terms must exclusively describe products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, just certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Next
This proposal next requires review by European governments, where it must secure majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
