European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from most of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
Key Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and that meat terms should only refer to products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," said French MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision political tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that most shoppers understand these names when items are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next faces consideration by EU member states, where it must secure majority approval to become law.
Considering the mixed views within both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
