European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should the measure is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, before the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers require transparent labeling and that traditional names must exclusively describe products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier enacted a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that most shoppers comprehend these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure now faces review by EU member states, and it must obtain broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions within both lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.