European Lawmakers Decide to Ban Meat-Related Names for Plant-Based Products

During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms including "burger" and "sausage" solely for animal-derived foods.

What the Decision Signifies

If the measure is implemented, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could have to change their names throughout European Union countries.

However, for the ban to be enforced, it must receive support from a majority of the EU's 27 member states, something that is far from certain.

Key Debate Surrounding the Proposal

Supporters argue that consumers require transparent labeling and that meat terms must only describe items derived from livestock.

"An escalope or a sausage represent products from animal farming: not laboratory art nor vegetable sources," said France's lawmaker Céline Imart.

Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, called the move populist tactics.

"Plant-based burgers, seitan schnitzel and soy sausage do not confuse consumers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austria's Green MEP Thomas Waitz.

Past Attempts and Legal Background

This isn't the first attempt to regulate these terminology. The European parliament voted down a comparable prohibition in 2020.

France earlier introduced a domestic ban on meat terms for vegetarian products in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in this year.

Business and Public Response

Major German retailers including Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that changing established terms would confuse consumers.

Consumer groups cite surveys showing that most shoppers understand these names when products are properly identified as vegetarian.

"Nearly 70% of shoppers understand these names as long as products are clearly labelled plant-based," said Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.

What Comes Next

This proposal now requires review by European governments, where it needs to secure majority support to become law.

Given the mixed views within both politicians and the general population, the future of this initiative remains unclear.