European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Foods
During a significant vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
If the measure is implemented, popular plant-based items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed across EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the restriction to take effect, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers require transparent labeling and that meat terms should only refer to items from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from our livestock: not synthetic production or plant products," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move pointless restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
This marks another attempt to regulate such names. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of consumers understand product labels as long as products are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology provided items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure next faces review by European governments, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among various lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.