EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, which is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that customers need transparent information and while meat terms must only refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move pointless regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
The marks another attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of consumers understand these names when products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal next faces review by EU member states, where it must secure majority approval to become law.
Considering the divided views among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
