European Lawmakers Vote to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products
In a major vote this week, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.
What the Decision Means
Should this proposal is implemented, common vegetarian items such as veggie burgers, soy steak, and vegetable schnitzel may need to change their names across EU markets.
Nevertheless, for the ban to take effect, it must receive support from most of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.
The Arguments Behind the Proposal
Proponents argue that customers require transparent information and that traditional names should only describe products from livestock.
"A steak and sausages represent products from animal farming: not synthetic production nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker the proposal's author.
Opponents, led by environmental lawmakers, described the move unnecessary regulation.
"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, just rightwing politicians," said Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.
Previous Efforts and Judicial Context
This isn't the first effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a comparable ban in 2020.
France earlier introduced a national restriction on meat terms for vegetarian products in 2020, but EU courts ruled it invalid under EU law in 2024.
Business and Public Reaction
Leading German supermarkets including Aldi and Lidl oppose the proposal, warning that altering familiar names would confuse shoppers.
Advocacy organizations point to research showing that most consumers understand product labels when products are properly identified as vegetarian.
"Almost seventy percent of consumers recognize the terminology as long as items are clearly labelled vegan or vegetarian," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy officer at BEUC.
What Following the Vote
The legislative measure next requires consideration by European governments, where it must obtain broad approval to be enacted.
Considering the mixed views within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.
