European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Foods
During a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to be enforced, it must gain approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent labeling and that traditional names must only describe products derived from livestock.
"A steak and sausages represent goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision pointless restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
This marks another attempt to regulate such terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Public Response
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys indicating that most consumers understand product labels when products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand these names provided items are clearly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now requires review by European governments, and it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
