European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Terms for Vegetarian Products
In a significant vote this week, MEPs voted by a margin of 355-247 to restrict food names including "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.
What the Vote Means
If the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products like plant-based burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel may have to change their names throughout EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it needs to receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 countries, which remains far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Measure
Supporters argue that consumers need transparent labeling and that meat terms must only refer to products from animals.
"A steak and sausages represent products from our livestock: not synthetic production nor plant products," stated France's lawmaker Céline Imart.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, called the move populist maneuvering.
"Veggie burgers, seitan schnitzel and tofu sausage don't mislead shoppers, only rightwing politicians," said Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz.
Past Attempts and Judicial Context
The isn't the first effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
The French government earlier enacted a national restriction on traditional names for plant-based foods in 2020, but EU courts ruled it illegal under EU law in 2024.
Industry and Consumer Reaction
Major Germany's supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl object to the proposal, cautioning that changing familiar names would mislead consumers.
Advocacy organizations cite research showing that most consumers comprehend these names as long as items are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost 70% of consumers recognize these names provided items are explicitly marked vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.
What Comes Next
The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed opinions among both politicians and the public, the outcome of this initiative is still unclear.
