EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
If the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, which is far from certain.
The Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and that meat terms should exclusively describe items from animals.
"A steak and sausages are products from our livestock: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand these names when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal now faces consideration by EU member states, and it must secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
