EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU markets.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers require clear information and while traditional names must exclusively describe products from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another attempt to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France previously introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal now faces consideration by EU member states, and it must secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
