European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names across EU countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that remains far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that consumers require clear labeling and while meat terms should only refer to items from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent products from our livestock: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," stated France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier enacted a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure now faces review by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority support to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
