European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a major decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers require clear information and while meat terms must exclusively refer to items derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first effort to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that most shoppers understand product labels when items are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize these names as long as products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next requires review by European governments, where it needs to obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the divided views among various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
