EU Parliament Vote to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a major decision this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "sausage" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
The Decision Signifies
If the measure is implemented, common plant-based products such as plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that consumers need clear labeling and while meat terms should exclusively refer to items derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by Green MEPs, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
The marks another attempt to control these names. EU lawmakers rejected a comparable prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under European legislation in 2024.
Industry and Public Response
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse consumers.
Consumer groups cite research showing that the majority of consumers understand product labels when products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize these names provided items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the divided opinions among various lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of the proposal is still unclear.
