European Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, which is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while traditional names should only refer to products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production or vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
The marks another attempt to control these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize these names as long as items are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure next faces consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure majority support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views among both politicians and the public, the future of the proposal remains uncertain.
