European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
During a major vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to be enforced, it must gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent labeling and while meat terms must exclusively describe products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move political tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to control these names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to research showing that the majority of consumers understand these names as long as products are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, and it must obtain majority support to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions within both lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
