European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If this proposal becomes law, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and while meat terms should only refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor plant products," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The marks another attempt to regulate these terminology. The European parliament voted down a similar ban in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Public Response
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that most consumers comprehend product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize these names as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
The proposal next requires review by EU member states, and it must secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.