European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names across EU countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from most of the 27 EU countries, which remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers need clear labeling and while traditional names must only refer to products from animals.
"An escalope and sausages represent products from our livestock: not laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the decision pointless regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Response
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next requires review by EU member states, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among both lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal is still uncertain.
