EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should this proposal is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed across European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names must only describe items derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," stated French MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, called the decision political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to control these terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that most shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires review by EU member states, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among both politicians and the public, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
