EU Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote this week, MEPs voted 355 to 247 to restrict product terms including "steak" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Means
Should this proposal becomes law, common plant-based items like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may have to be renamed across EU countries.
However, for the ban to take effect, it must gain support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Supporters argue that consumers require clear labeling and that meat terms must only refer to products from animals.
"An escalope and sausages are products from animal farming: not from synthetic production or plant products," said French lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move pointless regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead consumers, just certain lawmakers," declared Austria's lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
The isn't the first effort to control these terminology. The European parliament voted down a similar ban in 2020.
France earlier enacted a domestic restriction on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice determined it illegal under European legislation in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations cite surveys showing that most shoppers comprehend these names when items are clearly marked as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of shoppers understand these names provided products are clearly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Following the Vote
This proposal now requires consideration by European governments, where it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions within various politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.