European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Means
Should the measure becomes law, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need transparent information and while meat terms must only refer to products from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the move populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand these names when products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names provided items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure now faces review by European governments, and it must obtain majority support to be enacted.
Given the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
