European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
Should the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to change their names throughout EU markets.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers need clear information and that meat terms should only describe products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the move political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to control such names. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure now requires review by EU member states, where it needs to obtain majority support to become law.
Given the mixed views among both lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
