European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a major decision this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
If the measure becomes law, common plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to be renamed across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers require clear labeling and that traditional names must exclusively refer to products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages are products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor plant products," said French MEP CĂ©line Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a comparable ban in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that altering established names would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that most consumers understand these names when items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal next faces consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure broad support to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the future of this initiative is still uncertain.
