European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent information and while traditional names must exclusively refer to items derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when products are properly marked as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize these names as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal next requires review by European governments, where it needs to obtain broad support to become law.
Considering the mixed views within both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
