European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Signifies
If the measure is implemented, common plant-based products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed across EU markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that customers require clear information and while meat terms must only refer to items derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor plant products," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another effort to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology as long as products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Next
The proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.