European Lawmakers Decide to Prohibit Meat-Based Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to reserve product terms including "steak" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
If this proposal is implemented, common plant-based products such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the restriction to take effect, it must gain approval from a majority of the 27 EU member states, which is uncertain.
The Debate Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that customers require transparent information and while meat terms should exclusively refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope and sausages are products from our livestock: not from laboratory art or plant products," said France's MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including Green MEPs, called the move populist tactics.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
This marks another attempt to regulate these names. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a domestic ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly marked as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand the terminology provided items are explicitly marked plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal next requires review by European governments, where it must secure broad approval to become law.
Considering the mixed views among various politicians and the public, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
