EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers require clear information and while traditional names must only describe products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from our livestock: not laboratory art or plant products," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move political tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing established names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize these names provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal next faces review by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority approval to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
