European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to change their names across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that consumers require transparent information and that meat terms must only refer to items from animals.
"A steak and sausages are products from our livestock: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France previously introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize these names as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal next requires review by EU member states, where it must secure majority approval to become law.
Considering the divided opinions within both politicians and the public, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
