EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent information and that traditional names must exclusively describe items derived from livestock.
"A steak and sausages are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another effort to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering familiar names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when products are properly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand these names provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure now faces consideration by EU member states, where it must obtain majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions within both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
