EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, common vegetarian products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that consumers require clear information and that meat terms must exclusively refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, described the move populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Response
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing familiar terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend these names when items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Next
The legislative measure next requires consideration by European governments, where it must secure majority support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within various lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
