European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names across EU markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and while traditional names should only refer to items from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from our livestock: not laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to regulate these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend product labels when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within various lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
