EU Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
What the Vote Signifies
Should the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed throughout European Union markets.
However, for the restriction to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, something that is far from certain.
Key Arguments Behind the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers require transparent labeling and while meat terms must exclusively describe products from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not from laboratory art or vegetable sources," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the move pointless restriction.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just rightwing politicians," said Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to control such terminology. EU lawmakers rejected a similar ban in 2020.
The French government previously introduced a domestic restriction on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts determined it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar terms would confuse consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research showing that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when products are properly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand these names provided products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This legislative measure now requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Given the divided opinions among both lawmakers and the general population, the outcome of this initiative remains uncertain.
