European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to gain support from a majority of the 27 EU countries, which is far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that consumers need clear information and that traditional names must only describe products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a national restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand these names provided items are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now requires consideration by European governments, where it must secure majority support to become law.
Considering the mixed opinions among both politicians and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
