EU Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Means
If this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names across European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require clear information and that meat terms should exclusively describe items from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor plant products," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Response
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers understand product labels when products are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize these names provided products are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now faces consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the mixed views among both politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
