EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, common vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain support from most of the 27 EU member states, something that is far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers need transparent labeling and while traditional names should exclusively describe products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names when items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost 70% of shoppers understand these names provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal is still unclear.
