EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a major vote on Wednesday, MEPs decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms such as "steak" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Means
If the measure is implemented, common plant-based products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed across EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it needs to gain support from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require transparent labeling and that traditional names must only refer to products derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art nor plant products," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision unnecessary restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Legal Background
The marks another attempt to control such names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that changing established names would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend these names when products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next faces review by European governments, where it needs to obtain majority approval to be enacted.
Given the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the public, the future of the proposal remains unclear.
