EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, common plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to change their names across EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive support from most of the 27 EU member states, which remains uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only describe products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering established terms would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names when items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand these names as long as items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal now faces review by EU member states, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
