European Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
If this proposal becomes law, common plant-based products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require clear labeling and that traditional names must exclusively refer to products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate these terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most consumers comprehend product labels when products are properly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal next requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions among various politicians and the public, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
