EU Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Foods
During 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
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to receive approval from a majority of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that customers require transparent information and while meat terms should only refer to products derived from livestock.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not laboratory art or plant products," stated French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the decision populist tactics.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Attempts and Legal Context
This isn't the first effort to regulate such names. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government previously enacted a domestic ban on traditional names for vegetarian products in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Response
Major German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing familiar terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to research showing that most consumers understand these names when items are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand these names as long as products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This legislative measure now requires review by European governments, and it must secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the divided views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
