EU Parliament Decide to Prohibit Meat-Related Terms for Plant-Based Foods

During a significant decision on Wednesday, MEPs decided by a margin of 355-247 to restrict product terms such as "burger" and "sausage" solely for meat products.

The Vote Signifies

If this proposal becomes law, popular plant-based products such as veggie burgers, tofu steak, and cauliflower schnitzel could need to be renamed throughout European Union countries.

However, before the ban to be enforced, it needs to gain approval from most of the 27 EU countries, something that is uncertain.

Key Arguments Surrounding the Proposal

Proponents contend that customers need clear labeling and while traditional names should exclusively refer to products from animals.

"A steak or a sausage are products from animal farming: not synthetic production or vegetable sources," stated French lawmaker the proposal's author.

Opponents, including environmental lawmakers, described the decision unnecessary restriction.

"Plant-based burgers, wheat schnitzel and tofu sausage do not confuse shoppers, only certain lawmakers," declared Austrian lawmaker Thomas Waitz.

Past Efforts and Judicial Context

This isn't the first effort to control such terminology. EU lawmakers voted down a similar ban in 2020.

France earlier enacted a national ban on traditional names for plant-based foods in recent years, but EU courts ruled it invalid under European legislation in 2024.

Business and Consumer Reaction

Major Germany's retailers such as Aldi and Lidl oppose the measure, cautioning that altering familiar terms would mislead shoppers.

Consumer groups cite research indicating that the majority of shoppers understand these names when products are properly marked as vegan.

"Almost 70% of shoppers recognize the terminology as long as products are explicitly labelled plant-based," noted Irina Popescu, a food policy expert at BEUC.

What Following the Vote

The legislative measure next faces consideration by EU member states, and it needs to secure broad approval to be enacted.

Considering the mixed views among various lawmakers and the public, the future of this initiative remains uncertain.