EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it must gain support from most of the 27 EU countries, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need transparent information and while meat terms should exclusively describe products from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor plant products," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal now faces consideration by EU member states, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.
