European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Means
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names across European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that customers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only refer to products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or plant products," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the move pointless regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
This marks another effort to regulate these names. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most consumers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as items are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next requires review by EU member states, where it must secure majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
