European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while meat terms must only refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent products from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor plant products," stated French MEP CĂ©line Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now faces review by European governments, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions among both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
