European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
During a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should the measure becomes law, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 countries, something that remains uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers need transparent information and that traditional names should exclusively describe items derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not laboratory art or plant products," stated France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Context
This marks another effort to regulate these names. The European parliament voted down a comparable ban in four years ago.
France previously enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established terms would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that most consumers understand these names when items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology provided products are clearly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now faces review by European governments, where it must secure majority approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided views within both politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.
