EU Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that consumers need clear labeling and while traditional names must only refer to products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another attempt to control these names. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology provided items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it must secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided views within various lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
