EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a major decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names across European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that customers need transparent labeling and while traditional names must only describe items derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most consumers understand product labels when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, where it must secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
