EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
During a significant vote this week, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Means
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that customers require transparent information and that meat terms must only describe products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from animal farming: not synthetic production or plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another effort to regulate such terminology. The European parliament rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Next
The legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, and it must obtain majority support to become law.
Given the divided views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
