EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Vote Means
If the measure becomes law, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU markets.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must gain support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents argue that customers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only describe products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not laboratory art nor plant products," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
This marks another attempt to regulate these terminology. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in this year.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize these names provided items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure now faces review by EU member states, and it needs to obtain majority support to become law.
Given the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
