European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
During a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to be renamed across EU countries.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent information and that meat terms must only refer to products derived from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
The isn't the first attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Public Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend product labels as long as items are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as items are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now faces consideration by European governments, where it must secure broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
