European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
During a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it must receive approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent labeling and that meat terms should exclusively describe products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
This marks another effort to regulate such terminology. The European parliament voted down a similar ban in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels as long as products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next faces consideration by EU member states, and it must secure broad approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions within various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
