European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
During a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout European Union markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive support from most of the EU's 27 countries, which is uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that consumers need clear labeling and that traditional names must only refer to products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not laboratory art or plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing established names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand product labels when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand these names as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, where it must secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among various politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
