European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
During a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to change their names across European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains uncertain.
The Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require clear information and while traditional names must exclusively describe products derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the move political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first effort to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now requires review by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions among various politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
