European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
During a significant decision this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names across EU countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that consumers need transparent information and that meat terms should only refer to items from animals.
"A steak and sausages are products from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
The marks another attempt to control such names. The European parliament rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names as long as products are properly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure next requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure majority approval to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
