European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
Should this proposal is implemented, popular vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent labeling and while meat terms should only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
The isn't the first attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
France previously enacted a national ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that most consumers understand product labels when products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand these names as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.