European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
During a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters argue that customers require transparent labeling and that meat terms must only describe items derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels when items are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers recognize these names as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces review by EU member states, where it needs to obtain broad approval to become law.
Considering the mixed views within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.