EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure becomes law, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, something that remains far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and while traditional names must exclusively refer to products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another attempt to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
