EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a major decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Means
Should this proposal is implemented, popular plant-based items like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU countries.
However, before the ban to be enforced, it must gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and that meat terms must exclusively refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art nor vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, called the move unnecessary restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Background
This marks another attempt to control such names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Major German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that the majority of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly identified as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as products are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the divided views within various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
