European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant vote on Wednesday, European Parliament members voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
The Decision Means
If this proposal becomes law, popular vegetarian products like plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could have to be renamed throughout European Union countries.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive approval from most of the EU's 27 member states, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent labeling and that meat terms should only refer to products from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are goods from animal farming: not laboratory art or vegetable sources," said French lawmaker Céline Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the move political maneuvering.
"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
The isn't the first attempt to control such terminology. The European parliament rejected a similar prohibition in 2020.
The French government earlier introduced a domestic ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts determined it illegal under European legislation in this year.
Business and Consumer Response
Leading German retailers including Aldi and Lidl object to the measure, warning that changing established terms would mislead shoppers.
Consumer groups point to surveys showing that the majority of shoppers understand product labels as long as products are clearly identified as vegan.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers understand the terminology as long as items are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
This proposal next requires consideration by EU member states, and it must secure majority support to become law.
Given the mixed views within various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal is still uncertain.
