EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
During a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names across EU markets.
However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers need clear information and while traditional names should only refer to products from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first attempt to control such terminology. The European parliament rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France earlier enacted a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of consumers understand product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names provided items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure now faces review by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions among various politicians and the public, the future of the proposal is still uncertain.
