EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents argue that customers require clear labeling and that traditional names should exclusively refer to items from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from our livestock: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first effort to control these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names when products are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it must obtain majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.