EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
The Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers need clear information and while meat terms should only describe products from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are products from our livestock: not from synthetic production or plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the move populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar names would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that most consumers comprehend product labels when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided items are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next faces review by European governments, where it needs to secure majority support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.