EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Means
Should this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian items such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent information and while traditional names should exclusively refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," stated France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in four years ago.
The French government previously introduced a national ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend these names as long as items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal now requires consideration by European governments, where it must secure majority support to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
