European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that consumers need transparent information and while traditional names must only refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
The marks another effort to regulate these names. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
France previously introduced a national restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering familiar names would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand product labels as long as products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces review by EU member states, and it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
