European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that is uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need transparent labeling and that traditional names should exclusively refer to items derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Context
This marks another attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure now faces review by European governments, and it needs to secure majority approval to become law.
Given the divided views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.