EU Parliament Vote to Prohibit Meat-Based Names for Plant-Based Foods
In a significant decision on Wednesday, European Parliament members decided 355 to 247 to reserve product terms including "burger" and "schnitzel" exclusively for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
If the measure becomes law, common vegetarian products like veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may need to change their names throughout European Union markets.
However, before the restriction to be enforced, it must gain approval from most of the 27 EU member states, something that remains uncertain.
Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal
Proponents contend that customers require clear information and that meat terms must only refer to items derived from livestock.
"A steak or a sausage represent goods from animal farming: not synthetic production nor plant products," said France's MEP CĂ©line Imart.
Critics, led by Green MEPs, described the move political maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse consumers, only rightwing politicians," said Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Legal Background
This isn't the first attempt to regulate such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar prohibition in four years ago.
France previously enacted a national ban on meat terms for plant-based foods in recent years, but the European court of justice ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, warning that changing familiar terms would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to surveys showing that most consumers comprehend these names when items are properly identified as vegan.
"Nearly 70% of consumers understand the terminology provided items are explicitly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a consumer officer at BEUC.
What Comes Next
This proposal now requires consideration by European governments, and it needs to obtain majority approval to become law.
Given the divided views within various politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.