European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Vote Signifies
If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names across EU markets.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Supporters argue that customers require clear information and that meat terms should exclusively refer to items derived from animals.
"A steak and sausages are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production nor plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
This marks another attempt to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next faces review by EU member states, and it needs to obtain broad approval to become law.
Given the mixed opinions within both lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
