European Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Products
In a significant vote this week, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for meat products.
The Decision Means
If the measure is implemented, common plant-based items like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to be renamed throughout European Union markets.
Nevertheless, before the ban to be enforced, it must gain approval from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which is far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that customers need transparent information and that traditional names should exclusively refer to products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage are products from our livestock: not laboratory art or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage don't mislead shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to regulate these names. The European parliament rejected a comparable ban in four years ago.
France earlier enacted a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts determined it illegal under EU law in this year.
Industry and Public Response
Leading German retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys indicating that the majority of shoppers comprehend product labels as long as items are clearly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided products are explicitly labelled vegan or vegetarian," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The proposal now requires review by European governments, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the divided opinions among both politicians and the public, the outcome of the proposal remains unclear.
