European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
During a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it must receive support from most of the 27 EU countries, which remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Proposal
Supporters contend that customers need clear information and while traditional names must only describe products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that most consumers understand product labels as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure now faces review by EU member states, where it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the mixed views within various politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
