EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains far from certain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should exclusively describe items derived from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are products from our livestock: not laboratory art nor plant products," stated France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that most consumers comprehend product labels when products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand these names provided items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure majority support to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
