EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names across European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters contend that consumers need clear information and while traditional names must only refer to items from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent products from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, including Green MEPs, described the decision populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under EU law in this year.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that most shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize these names provided products are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Next
This proposal next requires consideration by European governments, and it must secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among both lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
