EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a major vote this week, European Parliament members voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that customers require clear labeling and while traditional names must only refer to products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from synthetic production nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker CĂ©line Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Context
The marks another effort to control these names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that altering established names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that most shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers recognize the terminology provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal now requires consideration by European governments, where it must obtain majority support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among both politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
