EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products

During a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.

What the Decision Signifies

If this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names across EU markets.

Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which is uncertain.

The Arguments Behind the Proposal

Proponents argue that customers require transparent labeling and that meat terms should exclusively refer to products from animals.

"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.

Critics, including Green MEPs, called the decision pointless restriction.

"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.

Past Efforts and Legal Background

The marks another effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.

The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.

Business and Public Response

Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering established names would mislead consumers.

Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of consumers comprehend these names when items are clearly identified as vegan.

"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology as long as products are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.

What Comes Next

This proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, where it needs to obtain broad support to be enacted.

Considering the mixed opinions within both lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal is still unclear.