European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
Should this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names across EU countries.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers require clear labeling and while meat terms must only refer to items from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are products from our livestock: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Context
This isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names provided products are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal now requires consideration by EU member states, and it needs to obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views within both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
