EU Lawmakers Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve food names including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, common plant-based products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed across EU countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must receive approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is far from certain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers need transparent labeling and while traditional names must exclusively describe items derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major German supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, warning that altering familiar terms would mislead consumers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend product labels when products are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand these names provided products are clearly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
The legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed opinions within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
