During a major vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for meat products.
The Decision Signifies
If the measure is implemented, common vegetarian products like veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to change their names across European Union markets.
However, for the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain support from a majority of the 27 EU countries, which is uncertain.
The Debate Behind the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers require transparent information and that meat terms must only refer to products from animals.
"A steak or a sausage are products from our livestock: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the decision populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, just certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
The marks another effort to control these names. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but the European court of justice ruled it illegal under EU law in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Leading Germany's retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing established names would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups cite surveys showing that the majority of consumers understand product labels as long as items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology provided products are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal now requires consideration by EU member states, where it must secure broad support to become law.
Considering the divided opinions within various lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative remains unclear.
