EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU markets.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that consumers need clear labeling and that traditional names must only describe products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that most shoppers comprehend product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure next faces review by European governments, and it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
