European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
During a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need clear information and that traditional names must exclusively describe items derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously introduced a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that altering familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that most consumers comprehend product labels when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names as long as products are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Next
The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within both lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
