EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain support from most of the 27 EU countries, which remains far from certain.
Key Debate Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that consumers need clear information and while meat terms must only describe products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the move political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France previously introduced a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research indicating that most consumers understand product labels as long as products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology provided products are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires consideration by EU member states, and it must secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided views within various lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
