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European Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a major decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 countries, which is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need clear labeling and while meat terms must exclusively describe products derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor plant products," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another attempt to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France earlier introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering established terms would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure next requires review by EU member states, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Given the mixed views within various lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
Rita Davis
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