EU Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Products
During a significant decision this week, European Parliament members decided by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, common vegetarian items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from most of the EU's 27 countries, something that is far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent information and that meat terms should only describe products from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are goods from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, led by environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Public Response
Major Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing established names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Nearly 70% of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure now faces review by European governments, where it must secure broad support to become law.
Considering the mixed opinions within both politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative remains unclear.
