EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Vote Means
If the measure becomes law, common vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains far from certain.
The Debate Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names must only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak and sausages are products from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," stated France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first attempt to regulate such names. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France previously 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.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of consumers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal next requires consideration by European governments, where it must secure broad support to become law.
Given the mixed views among both lawmakers and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
