EU Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
During a major vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
Should the measure becomes law, popular plant-based items like veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that remains uncertain.
Key Arguments Behind the Proposal
Supporters contend that customers need clear labeling and while meat terms must only refer to items from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, called the move populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Context
This marks another effort to control such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that most consumers understand these names as long as products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand these names as long as items are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal next faces consideration by EU member states, where it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
