European Parliament Decide to Ban Meat-Based Names for Vegetarian Products
During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names such as "burger" and "schnitzel" solely for animal-derived foods.
The Vote Signifies
If the measure is implemented, popular vegetarian products such as plant-based burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel could need to change their names throughout EU countries.
Nevertheless, before the ban to take effect, it must gain support from most of the EU's 27 countries, which remains far from certain.
Key Arguments Surrounding the Measure
Proponents contend that consumers need transparent information and while traditional names must only describe products derived from animals.
"An escalope or a sausage represent goods from our livestock: not laboratory art nor plant products," stated French MEP Céline Imart.
Opponents, including Green MEPs, called the decision unnecessary regulation.
"Veggie burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Background
The marks another effort to regulate these names. The European parliament voted down a similar prohibition in 2020.
France previously 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 Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that changing established terms would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations point to research indicating that most consumers comprehend these names when products are clearly marked as vegan.
"Nearly seventy percent of shoppers understand the terminology as long as products are explicitly marked plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Next
The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure broad support to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within both lawmakers and the general population, the future of this initiative is still unclear.
