European Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
What the Decision Signifies
If this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names across European Union countries.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive approval from most of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.
The Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents argue that consumers need transparent labeling and while traditional names should only refer to products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages represent products from our livestock: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said French MEP Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision pointless restriction.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Background
The marks another effort to regulate these terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable prohibition in four years ago.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice determined it invalid under EU law in this year.
Business and Public Response
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that altering familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite research indicating that the majority of consumers comprehend product labels when products are properly identified as vegan.
"Almost 70% of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Next
This legislative measure next requires consideration by EU member states, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Given the mixed views among both politicians and the general population, the outcome of the proposal remains uncertain.
