EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, popular plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, which is far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need clear labeling and while meat terms should only refer to products derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages represent products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or plant products," stated French lawmaker CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most consumers understand these names as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names provided items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
The proposal next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to obtain broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within both politicians and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
