European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent information and that traditional names should only refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Response
Leading Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal next requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions among both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal is still uncertain.
