EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
During a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers require clear labeling and that meat terms should only refer to products from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move pointless regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Background
This isn't the first effort to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that the majority of consumers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided items are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal now requires consideration by European governments, and it must secure majority approval to become law.
Given the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still uncertain.
