European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout EU markets.
However, before the ban to take effect, it must gain support from most of the 27 EU member states, which is far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that customers require clear labeling and while traditional names must only refer to products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most shoppers understand these names as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers recognize these names provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
