EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names such as "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent labeling and while traditional names must exclusively refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not laboratory art nor plant products," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand these names provided products are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The proposal next requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the mixed opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
