European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed across European Union countries.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need transparent information and while meat terms should only refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision pointless regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Response
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering established names would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels when items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, and it needs to obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.
