EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a major vote this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
If the measure becomes law, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers need transparent labeling and while meat terms must only describe products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages are goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in four years ago.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering familiar names would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when items are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure now faces consideration by EU member states, and it must obtain majority support to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.
