European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a major decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive support from most of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that customers require clear labeling and while meat terms must exclusively refer to products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a national ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that altering established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand these names as long as products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Given the divided views among various lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal is still unclear.
