EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Means
If the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require transparent information and while traditional names must only refer to products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor plant products," stated France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
France previously introduced a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend these names as long as products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand these names as long as products are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure now requires review by EU member states, and it must obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views among both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
