European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent information and while meat terms should exclusively refer to products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that the majority of consumers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand these names provided items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now requires review by EU member states, where it must obtain majority approval to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
