European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should the measure becomes law, common plant-based items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent information and while meat terms must only refer to items derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the move political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research showing that the majority of consumers understand these names as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure next faces review by EU member states, and it must obtain broad support to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
