European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require clear information and while traditional names should only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand these names as long as products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand the terminology as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
This proposal next requires consideration by European governments, and it must obtain majority approval to become law.
Considering the mixed opinions within both lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.