EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout EU markets.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require clear labeling and that meat terms should only refer to products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Public Reaction
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal next requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
