European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
In a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent information and while traditional names must only refer to items derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from our livestock: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
This marks another effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that altering established terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that most shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, where it needs to obtain broad approval to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
