European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and while traditional names must only refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," stated French MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, called the move pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that most shoppers understand these names when items are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure next faces review by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the divided views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.
