European Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Vote Signifies
If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to be renamed across European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to take effect, it must receive support from most of the 27 EU member states, which is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters contend that customers need transparent labeling and that meat terms must exclusively refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art or plant products," stated France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, only rightwing politicians," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
The isn't the first effort to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Consumer Response
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing familiar terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels as long as products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The proposal now requires consideration by EU member states, where it needs to obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions within both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
