European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move political tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
This marks another effort to control these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal next faces consideration by EU member states, where it needs to secure majority support to be enacted.
Given the divided views among various lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
